Saint Augustine once said “Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility.” This is one of many famous quotes by St. Augustine. He is known as the patron saint of brewers. Saint Augustine was chosen to be the patron saint of brewers because of his transformation from a life of partying and entertainment to a life of holiness.
For many people who struggle with abuse of substances and addiction, he has been an inspiration, someone to pray and relate too. St. Augustine was a Roman philosopher that studied many works from fellow Catholic theologians. He was born in Thagaste, now known as Suk Arras, on November 13, 354 AD. He was alive during the fourth century and used every moment he could to dive deeper into his faith.
His father was a Pagan and his mother was a Christian. Though the difference between them religiously was there, it was not strong. Together they raised him as a Pagan. Later in life, St. Augustine made the decision to convert his faith into Catholicism after falling into a harmful religion- Manichean. This religion was created by an Iranian man and St. Augustine’s mother begged him to leave that ideology.
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However, at the age of 33, St. Augustine was baptized to announce he made the decision to embrace his faith in Catholicism. He became a well-known philosopher in the fourth century due to his strength in his faith. St. Augustine was identified as being a Catholic theologian, who was also a teacher of rhetoric. Rhetoric is the study of art, writing and speaking well, and being persuasive. Rhetoric teaches you the necessary skills a person would need in advanced writing or higher education. This is a continued skill that is used in writings and speeches to this day.
St. Augustine first started teaching in his native town of Thagaste, then in Rome, then finally in Milan. He started out only teaching rhetoric but quickly became interested in Christian literature. This led him into teaching others about his religion. St. Augustine began to apply the words of the Bible into his life and into others. He became a Father of the Church by his extensive knowledge and belief in Catholicism. He was ordained a priest in 391 and became the city’s coadjutor bishop in 395. As a bishop, St. Augustine wrote extensively and the value of his writings were so strong that he became a Church Father.
Later in history, St. Augustine was recognized as a doctor of the Church because of the grand value of his writings. These writings included major theological, philosophical, and spiritual works. He wrote: The Confessions-a spiritual autobiography, The City of God, On Christian Doctrine, and Handbook on Faith, Hope, and Love. Each one of his writings detailed spiritual connections and experiences within himself and within others.
St. Augustine passed on August 28, 430. While on his deathbed, Hippo was being attacked by the Arian Vandals. They burned the city of Hippo but seemed to left Augustine’s cathedral and library untouched. Leaving his library untouched allowed for the spread and the documentation of his literature. The significance of his works was that he made history by creating the litmus test for orthodoxy. He was recognized as a doctor and a father of the church.
Today he is also recognized as a profound Catholic saint. He was canonized by popular vote even before his death but could not take the title of a saint until he passed. Through his transformation to becoming a saint, there is a struggle that only a real believer would go through to become one with God.
