St. Augustine of Hippo

St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430 A.D.) was born in North Africa to a pagan father and a Christian mother, St. Monica. His mother did her best to raise him in the Christian faith, but Augustine, a brilliant and promising young student, was carried away into the attractions of the world, lust for women, and pagan philosophies. This put his faith and morals into a state of crisis for many years. His waywardness gave his holy mother great pain and anxiety as she watched her son pursue materialistic ambitions and keep company with heretical sects. Through his mother's constant prayers and the holy preaching of St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, St. Augustine came to realize the truth of Christianity after several spiritually tumultuous years of seeking God through his philosophical studies. He was baptized and made a radical conversion, living a holy life of purity, prayer, and penance. His life is one of the greatest sinner-to-saint stories in the history of the Church. St. Augustine eventually became a priest, bishop, theologian, writer, and the founder of a religious order of priests. He was declared a Doctor of the Church and is considered one of the most influential saints and theologians to have ever lived. His feast day is celebrated on August 28.