Saint Augustine

You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.   — Augustine of Hippo, Confessions

Augustine was born in 354 in Tagaste in the Roman province of North Africa.  After much spiritual wandering during his youth through philosophy and other religions, Augustine embraced the Catholic faith at the Easter Vigil in 387 when he was baptized by St. Ambrose.

He returned home and embraced the common life with some of his friends and companions.  In 395, after already having served as a priest for a number of years, he became the bishop of Hippo.  Shortly after his arrival he established the common life for himself and his clergy at the episcopal residence.  This common life remains to this day the model for the common life of the canons regular and other religious orders.

In addition, Augustine authored three rules for the common life and gave several important homilies on the subject.  These combined with his own example are foundational for the canonical order.

Augustine is rightly known for his numerous and important writings in which he explained the faith of the Church and ably defended that faith against the errors of his day.  He gave himself without reservation to his vocation as shepherd for the 34 years.

He held this apostolic office and served the faithful with tireless zeal, persuasive preaching and pastoral charity. He died in 430 while the Vandals were besieging Hippo, leaving behind a legacy which continues to endure.