SAINT AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO

SAINT AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO

Saint Augustine of Hippo is the patron of brewers because of his conversion from a former life of loose living. His turnaround and conversion has been an inspiration to many who struggle with a particular vice or habit.

This famous son of Saint Monica was born in Africa and spent many years of his life in wicked living and in false beliefs. He was an intelligent man and had been brought up a Christian. His sins of impurity and pride darkened his mind so deeply that he could not see or understand the Divine Truth. The prayers of his holy mother and the marvelous preaching of Saint Ambrose finally convinced Augustine that Christianity was the one true religion. He did not become a Christian at this time because he thought he could never live a pure life. One day he heard about two men who had suddenly been converted on reading the life of Saint Anthony and he felt terribly ashamed of himself. “What are we doing?” he cried to his friend Alipius.” Unlearned people are taking Heaven by force while we are so cowardly that we keep rolling around in the mud of our sins!”

Saint Augustine flung himself out into the garden and cried out to God, “How long more, O Lord? Why does not this hour put an end to my sins?” Just then he heard a child singing, “Take up and read!” Thinking that God intended him to hear those words he picked up
the book of the Letters of Saint Paul and read the first passage he saw. Saint Paul says to put away all impurity and to live in imitation of Jesus. Saint Augustine began a new life at this moment.

He was baptized and became a priest, bishop and a famous Catholic writer. He became very devout and charitable. The following sentence was written in large letters on the wall of his room: “Here we do not speak evil of anyone.” “Too late have I loved You!” he once cried to God, but with his holy life he certainly made up for the sins he committed before his conversion. His feast day is August 28th.

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