We travel back to the 4th century today to recall one of the Church's great figures. Augustine (b. 354)could well be the patron saint of many contemporary Catholics. The itinerant believer or seeker of faith might be a good way to describe the African-born brilliance that led to much writing about God's place in the human heart. Throughout his young and "licentious life" this son of yesterday's saint, Monica, could not find an solution to that inner voice that was leading him from one place to the next in his spiritual journey. It took a number of years and Mom's never-ending prayers for her son to bring to recognize the "hound of heaven" who would not let up in his graces to bring Augustine to his greatness in serving the Church. He died in the year 430.
Augustine met St. Ambrose in Milan, Italy. This led to his conversion and ultimately to his return to Africa and the diocese of Hippo where God's graces brought him to priesthood and ultimately the episcopacy. So, there are saints in the rough out there in those people known as sinners. This means, of course, there is a genuine hope for all of us ... even though we might not be as "wild" as the saint of this day.
Augustine met St. Ambrose in Milan, Italy. This led to his conversion and ultimately to his return to Africa and the diocese of Hippo where God's graces brought him to priesthood and ultimately the episcopacy. So, there are saints in the rough out there in those people known as sinners. This means, of course, there is a genuine hope for all of us ... even though we might not be as "wild" as the saint of this day.
