Their life in brief
Augustine was born in 354 in Roman North Africa. Brilliant and ambitious, he searched through philosophy, career, relationships, and religious movements while his mother Monica prayed persistently for his conversion.
In Milan, the preaching of Saint Ambrose and the witness of Scripture helped bring his struggle to a decision. Baptized in 387, Augustine later became bishop of Hippo, a tireless pastor and one of the most influential teachers of the Western Church.
“As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God.”
Psalm 42:1
What Augustine of Hippo teaches us
Augustine teaches us not to confuse spiritual restlessness with hopelessness. Desire can become prayer when it is honestly turned toward the God who has already been seeking us.
Pause and reflect
01What substitute have I been asking to satisfy a desire only God can fulfill?
02What truth have I understood but still resisted living?
Let us pray
Saint Augustine, you searched restlessly until grace brought you home. Pray for me when my desires are divided and my habits resist the truth. Help me seek God honestly, repent without despair, love Scripture, and surrender my whole life to the beauty that is ever ancient and ever new. Amen.
Spend ten quiet minutes naming your deepest desire before God without trying to disguise or solve it.