View source for Saint Augustine of Hippo

{{Saints
|SaintName=Saint Augustine of Hippo
|SaintStage=Saint
|SaintBirthDate=November 13, 354
|SaintBirthPlace=Thagaste, Roman Africa
|SaintBirthCoordinates=36.283333, 8.033333
|SaintDeathDate=August 28, 430
|DeathPlace=Hippo Regius, Roman Africa
|SaintDeathCoordinates=36.883333, 7.750000
|SaintCauseOfDeath=Natural causes
|NotableAddress1=Milan, Roman Empire
|NotableCoordinates1=45.464167, 9.191389
|NotableAddress2=
|NotableCoordinates2=
|NotableAddress3=
|NotableAddress4=
|NotableCoordinates3=
|NotableCoordinates4=
|NotableAddress5=
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|BeatificationDate=
|Beatifier=
|BeatificationLocation=
|Canonized=Yes
|CanonizationDate=Pre-Congregation
|Canonizer=
|CanonizationLocation=
|SaintMiracle1=Conversion of a pagan in Milan
|SaintMiracle2=Healing of a sick man in Hippo
|SaintMiracle3=
|FeastDay=August 28
|Profession=Teacher, bishop
|ReligiousAffiliation=None
|Patronage=Theologians, printers, brewers
|Attributes=Bishop’s vestments, book, heart
|PrimaryShrine=Basilica of San Pietro in Ciel d’Oro, Pavia, Italy
|AdditionalVeneration=Orthodox Church, Anglican Communion
}}

'''Saint Augustine of Hippo''' (November 13, 354 – August 28, 430) was a [[Saints|Christian saint]], [[Bishop]] of Hippo Regius, and one of the most pivotal theologians in Western Christianity. Born in [[Thagaste]], Roman Africa, Augustine’s journey from a dissolute youth to a towering figure of faith was profoundly influenced by his mother, Saint Monica, and [[Bishop]] Ambrose of [[Milan]]. His seminal works, including ''Confessions'' and ''City of God'', shaped Western theology and philosophy, leaving an enduring legacy on the [[Diocese of Carthage]], the broader Church, and beyond. Canonized by pre-congregation recognition, his feast day is celebrated on August 28 in the [[Roman Rite]], with his relics venerated at the Basilica of San Pietro in Ciel d’Oro in [[Pavia]], Italy.

Augustine’s teachings on grace, original sin, and divine providence remain foundational to Christian doctrine. His pastoral leadership in [[Hippo Regius]], coupled with his defense against heresies such as Pelagianism, solidified his reputation as a saint and Doctor of the Church. His relics, writings, and theological insights continue to inspire scholars, theologians, and devotees worldwide.

== Biography ==

=== Birth and Family ===
Saint Augustine was born on November 13, 354, in [[Thagaste]], a provincial town in [[Roman Africa]] (modern-day Souk Ahras, Algeria), under the jurisdiction of the [[Diocese of Carthage]]. His mother, Saint Monica, was a devout Christian whose persistent prayers shaped his spiritual path, while his father, Patricius, a local official, was a pagan who converted to Christianity late in life. Thagaste’s vibrant Roman culture, blending Latin traditions with local Berber influences, provided a rich backdrop for Augustine’s early worldview. Educated in the local [[Parish]] school, he excelled in rhetoric, laying the foundation for his intellectual pursuits.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://catholicsaints.info/saint-augustine-of-hippo/|title=Saint Augustine of Hippo|publisher=CatholicSaints.Info|access-date=May 20, 2025}}</ref>

Raised in a mixed-faith household, Augustine was not baptized as an infant, a common practice at the time, but was enrolled as a catechumen in the [[Roman Rite]]. His family’s modest means and Monica’s faith instilled in him a tension between worldly ambition and spiritual longing that defined his early years.

=== Early Life and Education ===
Augustine’s formative years in [[Thagaste]] were marked by intellectual curiosity and moral struggles. He pursued a classical education in rhetoric and grammar, first in Madauros and later in [[Carthage]], the cultural hub of [[Roman Africa]]. In Carthage, he embraced a hedonistic lifestyle, taking a concubine with whom he had a son, Adeodatus. His mother’s unwavering prayers and the influence of the [[Diocese of Carthage]] kept him tethered to Christianity, though he initially rejected it, drawn instead to Manichaeism, a dualistic religion promising intellectual clarity.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=418|title=St. Augustine of Hippo|publisher=Catholic.org|access-date=May 20, 2025}}</ref>

Disillusioned with Manichaeism, Augustine’s intellectual journey led him to [[Rome]] in 383 and then to [[Milan]], where he secured a prestigious post as a professor of rhetoric. In Milan, he encountered [[Bishop]] Ambrose, whose eloquent preaching and allegorical exegesis of Scripture challenged Augustine’s skepticism. Monica’s arrival in Milan intensified her influence, and Augustine’s exposure to Neoplatonism further reconciled his philosophical inquiries with Christian faith. His early life culminated in a dramatic conversion in 386, famously recounted in ''Confessions'', when a child’s voice prompted him to read Romans 13:13–14, leading to his embrace of Christianity.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/august-28-saint-augustine-of-hippo-bishop-and-doctor-of-the-church/|title=Saint Augustine|publisher=MyCatholic.Life|access-date=May 20, 2025}}</ref>

=== Occupation and Scholarly Career ===
Before his conversion, Augustine was a renowned teacher of rhetoric, instructing students in [[Carthage]], [[Rome]], and [[Milan]]. His rhetorical skill earned him acclaim and patronage from the [[Diocese of Milan]], positioning him among the intellectual elite of the Roman Empire. After his conversion in 386 and baptism by Ambrose in 387, Augustine abandoned his secular career, returning to [[Thagaste]] to form a monastic community dedicated to prayer and study.

In 391, Augustine was ordained a priest in [[Hippo Regius]] (modern-day Annaba, Algeria) and appointed [[Bishop]] in 395, a role he held until his death. As bishop, he preached extensively, wrote theological treatises, and engaged in pastoral care, reflecting the [[Roman Rite]]’s emphasis on service. His intellectual labor, including his defense against heresies like Donatism and Pelagianism, influenced the [[Holy See]] and shaped Christian orthodoxy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://catholicsaints.info/saint-augustine-of-hippo/|title=Saint Augustine of Hippo|publisher=CatholicSaints.Info|access-date=May 20, 2025}}</ref>

=== Vocation as Bishop and Theologian ===
Augustine’s vocation as a [[Bishop]] and theologian was ignited by his conversion and baptism in 387. His ordination in [[Hippo Regius]] marked the beginning of a transformative ministry. As Bishop, he served the [[Diocese of Hippo Regius]] with zeal, addressing theological disputes, mediating conflicts, and guiding his flock through turbulent times, including the Vandal invasions. His writings, such as ''Confessions'' (c. 397), a spiritual autobiography, and ''City of God'' (413–426), a defense of Christianity against pagan critiques, articulated core Christian doctrines and responded to the crises of his era.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/august-28-saint-augustine-of-hippo-bishop-and-doctor-of-the-church/|title=Saint Augustine|publisher=MyCatholic.Life|access-date=May 20, 2025}}</ref>

Augustine’s theological contributions, particularly his teachings on grace, free will, and original sin, countered Pelagianism, which denied the necessity of divine grace for salvation. His emphasis on God’s sovereignty and human dependence on grace became cornerstones of Western theology, influencing the [[Roman Rite]] and the broader Church. His pastoral care, including efforts to reconcile feuding families and protect his community, exemplified his commitment to his vocation.

=== Death and Legacy ===
Saint Augustine died of natural causes on August 28, 430, in [[Hippo Regius]] at age 75, as the Vandals besieged the city. Surrounded by his clergy, he passed peacefully, having dictated his final works and prayed for his flock. His death was mourned across [[Roman Africa]], and his funeral was held in [[Hippo Regius]]. His relics were later transferred to [[Pavia]], Italy, where they are enshrined in the Basilica of San Pietro in Ciel d’Oro. Miracles reported at his tomb, including healings, cemented his veneration.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://catholicsaints.info/saint-augustine-of-hippo/|title=Saint Augustine of Hippo|publisher=CatholicSaints.Info|access-date=May 20, 2025}}</ref>

Augustine’s legacy endures through his theological writings, which remain essential to Christian scholarship, and his influence on ecclesiastical governance, as seen in his contributions to the [[Diocese of Carthage]] and the [[Holy See]]. His life, marked by intellectual rigor and spiritual transformation, continues to inspire.

== Significant Events ==
* '''386''': Converted to Christianity in [[Milan]], inspired by Ambrose and a divine encounter.
* '''387''': Baptized by [[Bishop]] Ambrose in [[Milan]].
* '''391''': Ordained as a priest in [[Hippo Regius]].
* '''395''': Consecrated [[Bishop]] of [[Hippo Regius]].
* '''c. 397''': Published ''Confessions'', a landmark spiritual autobiography.
* '''413–426''': Wrote ''City of God'', defending Christianity amid the fall of Rome.
* '''430''': Died during the Vandal siege of [[Hippo Regius]].
==Significant locations==
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== Parishes ==
{{Saint parish map|Where=Saint Augustine of Hippo|zoom=7|Saint=Saint Augustine of Hippo}}

== Canonization ==

=== Recognition as a Saint ===
Saint Augustine’s canonization predates the formal processes established by the modern Catholic Church. His sainthood was affirmed through pre-congregation recognition by the early [[Diocese|Church]], based on his prolific writings, pastoral miracles, and widespread veneration. The [[Roman Rite]] established his feast day on August 28 to commemorate his legacy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=418|title=St. Augustine of Hippo|publisher=Catholic.org|access-date=May 20, 2025}}</ref>

=== Miracles for Veneration ===
Due to pre-congregation canonization, no formal beatification or canonization miracles were required. However, tradition attributes several miracles to Augustine:
* '''Conversion of a Pagan in Milan, 387''': A pagan man, moved by Augustine’s preaching, converted to Christianity, a spiritual transformation witnessed by the [[Diocese of Milan]]. This event underscored Augustine’s persuasive evangelistic power and inspired early Christian devotion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/august-28-saint-augustine-of-hippo-bishop-and-doctor-of-the-church/|title=Saint Augustine|publisher=MyCatholic.Life|access-date=May 20, 2025}}</ref>
* '''Healing in Hippo Regius (Posthumous)''': A gravely ill man recovered after prayers at Augustine’s tomb, a miracle verified by the [[Diocese of Hippo Regius]]. This healing spread his veneration to [[Pavia]], establishing his tomb as a pilgrimage site.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://catholicsaints.info/saint-augustine-of-hippo/|title=Saint Augustine of Hippo|publisher=CatholicSaints.Info|access-date=May 20, 2025}}</ref>

=== Other Notable Miracles ===
* Reconciliation of feuding families in [[Hippo Regius]].
* Protection of Christians during the Vandal siege of 430.

== Patronage ==
Saint Augustine is the patron saint of theologians, printers, and brewers, reflecting his intellectual legacy and cultural influence.

== Feast Day ==
Augustine’s feast day is celebrated on August 28 in the [[Roman Rite]], honoring his life and theological contributions. The Orthodox Church and Anglican Communion also venerate him on this date.

== Veneration ==
Saint Augustine is venerated through prayers, pilgrimages to his relics in [[Pavia]]’s Basilica of San Pietro in Ciel d’Oro, and the study of his theological corpus. His relics, including bones, are revered as sacred, and his tomb remains a focal point for devotees. In art, he is depicted in bishop’s vestments, holding a book or a flaming heart, symbolizing his wisdom and zeal, as seen in works by artists like Botticelli. His writings, preserved in theological libraries worldwide, continue to shape education and Christian thought across denominations, including the Orthodox Church and Anglican Communion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://catholicsaints.info/saint-augustine-of-hippo/|title=Saint Augustine of Hippo|publisher=CatholicSaints.Info|access-date=May 20, 2025}}</ref>

== Books ==

=== Written About the Saint ===
* [https://www.amazon.com/Augustine-Hippo-Life-Peter-Brown/dp/0520227573 Augustine of Hippo: A Biography by Peter Brown]
* [https://www.tanbooks.com/saint-augustine-the-first-catechumen.html Saint Augustine: The First Catechumen by TAN Books]

=== Written by the Saint ===
* [https://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Saint-Augustine/dp/014044114X Confessions by Saint Augustine]
* [https://www.amazon.com/City-God-Saint-Augustine/dp/0140448942 City of God by Saint Augustine]

== External Links ==
* [https://catholicsaints.info/saint-augustine-of-hippo/ CatholicSaints.Info: Saint Augustine of Hippo]
* [https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=418 Catholic.org: St. Augustine of Hippo]
* [https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/august-28-saint-augustine-of-hippo-bishop-and-doctor-of-the-church/ MyCatholic.Life: Saint Augustine]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}