From our Holy Father,BENEDICT XVI
GENERAL AUDIENCE
Paul VI Audience Hall
Wednesday, 20 February 2008
Saint Augustine of Hippo
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In today’s catechesis, we continue to focus on Saint Augustine, a prolific and widely influential author. Perhaps Augustine’s best-known work is the Confessions, a prayerful reflection on his life, in which he perceives his own sinfulness and extols the Lord’s grace and mercy. In De civitate Dei, Augustine describes the tension between two cities: the earthly city that springs from love of self and indifference to God, and the heavenly city born from love of God and “indifference to self”. In De Trinitate, Augustine expounds the core belief of the Christian faith: one God in three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Although Augustine is renowned for his towering intellect and vast body of writings, his primary concern was always to spread the Christian message. He continually strove to express the Gospel in a way accessible to every man, woman and child, so that all might come to know its saving truth: Jesus Christ. May we follow his example in sharing the Good News with others..
In today’s catechesis, we continue to focus on Saint Augustine, a prolific and widely influential author. Perhaps Augustine’s best-known work is the Confessions, a prayerful reflection on his life, in which he perceives his own sinfulness and extols the Lord’s grace and mercy. In De civitate Dei, Augustine describes the tension between two cities: the earthly city that springs from love of self and indifference to God, and the heavenly city born from love of God and “indifference to self”. In De Trinitate, Augustine expounds the core belief of the Christian faith: one God in three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Although Augustine is renowned for his towering intellect and vast body of writings, his primary concern was always to spread the Christian message. He continually strove to express the Gospel in a way accessible to every man, woman and child, so that all might come to know its saving truth: Jesus Christ. May we follow his example in sharing the Good News with others..
We might add to the Holy Father's reflection one of Augustine's prayers:
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.
Amen.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.
Amen.
