Saint Augustine of Hippo

Saint Augustine

Born: November 15, 354 AD in Thagaste, Numidia (modern-day Algeria)

Died: August 28, 430 AD (age 75) in Hippo Regius, Numidia

Canonized: Pre-congregation

Feast day: August 28

Patronage: Augustinians, brewers, printers, theologians, sore eyes

Saint Augustine was a Roman African, living in the area of North Africa known today as Algeria. In addition to being a saint, he is a Doctor of the Church and patron saint of the Augustinians.

He converted to Christianity in 386 AD, at the age of 31 and was baptized by Saint Ambrose in Milan, Italy during the Easter Vigil on April 24, 387.

Saint Augustine was ordained a priest in 391 and became bishop of Hippo in 395. He held that position until his death in 430.

As bishop he led a monastic lifestyle and worked to convert the citizens of Hippo to Christianity.

Augustine’s writings are classic early Christian theology, and his concepts greatly influenced the views during Medieval times. He imagined the church as a spiritual entity, a City of God separate from the physical, material world. His writings contributed to the development of topics such as original sin, just war theory, divine illumination and free will.

His teachings on divine grace and salvation influenced many theologians, including Martin Luther and others involved in the Protestant Reformation.

Augustine was canonized by popular acclaim and recognized as a Doctor of the Church in 1298 by Pope Boniface VIII.