Saint Augustine of Hippo
St. Augustine's father was a pagan who was converted on his death bed; his mother was St. Monica, a devout Christian. Trained in Christianity, he lost his faith in youth and led a wild life. He lived with a woman from age of 15 through 30 and fathered a son whom he named Adeotadus, which means the gift of God.
He taught rhetoric at Carthage and Milan. After investigating and experimenting with several philosophies, he became a Manichaean for several years, attracted by its lax moral code. Augustine finally broke with the Manicaeans and was converted by the prayers of his mother and the help of St. Ambrose of Milan, who baptized him. On the death of his mother he returned to Africa, sold his property, gave the proceeds to the poor, and founded a monastery.
As Bishop of Hippo, he fought various heresies and wrote extensively about the Trinity. Jesus visited him as a child who told him not to try to understand fully the Trinity because his mind was just a small hole that could not fit the ocean that is the Trinity.
As he (Augustine) walked along the shores of the ocean, he met a little boy who had made a very small hole beside the sands of the shore and was transferring the waters of the ocean into the little hole. Augustine was puzzled when he saw this child and asked him. The boy told him that he wanted to transfer the ocean into the hole he has made. He told the child that it is a mere waste of time. First, the hole is not big enough to contain the waters of the ocean, and secondly, even if it were as big, it will take the child uncountable lifetimes to transfer the waters with the little cup in his hand. The child than raised his head and said to the saint: "So also it is for the mind to understand God!" [1]
He oversaw his church and his office during the fall of the Roman Empire to the Vandals, leaving behind writings that have touched the hearts. His most famous quote is the following:
"Our hearts were made for you, O Lord, and they are restless until the rest in you."Born on November 13, 354; he died on August 28, 430.
Prayer of Saint Augustine
Lord Jesus, let me know myself and know you,
And desire nothing save only you.
Let me hate myself and love you.
Let me do everything for the sake of you.
Let me humble myself and exalt you.
Let me think of nothing except you.
Let me die to myself and live in you.
Let me accept whatever happens as from you.
Let me banish the self and follow you,
And ever desire to follow you.
Let me fly from myself and take refuge in you,
That I may deserve to be defended by you.
Let me fear for myself, let me fear you,
And let me be among those who are chosen by you.
Let me distrust myself and put my trust in you.
Let me be willing to obey for the sake of you.
Let me cling to nothing save only to you,
And let me be poor because of you.
Look upon me, that I may love you.
Call me that I may see you,
And for ever enjoy you.
Amen.
San Agustin Church, Intramuros, Manila
Consecrated in A.D. 1607
