St. Augustine

St. Augustine is the most important representative of ancient philosophy and theology. Undoubtedly, one of his most important writings is the autobiographical work “Confessiones”, . So far, no book has been written that would capture the human heart as powerfully as the Confession of St. Augustine. You will also not find a book that could be read with greater spiritual benefit. In other works of this genius – such as the dogmatic treatise on the Holy Trinity “De Trinitate” or the great work of Christian apologetics “De civitate Dei”, or “About the Community of God” – we find the depth of philosophy and theology, the irresistibility of its eloquence, the boldness of poetic images, the reliability of the doctrine and the fervent love of knowing the truth. All this can be found in his Confessiones. But what does the Confession of St. Augustine, completely unique and exceptional, is that St. Augustine here confesses his most shameful destinies and paths, when in his youth he became burnt with the desire to be satisfied with the pleasures of this world. In Augustine’s pains and joys, in his hopes and disappointments, in his falls and rebirth, generations of Christians found their own joys and pains, their own hopes and disappointments, their own falls – and also their own rebirth.

We can say that the work of this genius and pardoned saint, characterized by a burning heart for Christ and sacrificial love and boundless goodness to the entrusted sheep, dominated the theology and philosophy of many centuries to come. Until the time of St. Thomas Aquinas, there was no thinker who could even approach St. Augustine. And even when we read carefully the supreme theological work of St. Thomas Aquinas Summa Theologiae, in addition to the evidence from the Holy Scriptures, we find here a huge number of quotations from the most important works of St. Augustine. St. Augustine is the most prolific ecclesiastical writer in the history of the Catholic Church. He is often called the honorary title “Doctor gratiae” or “Doctor of Grace” and theologians around the world worship him as their patron.

The whole extremely captivating life story of St. Augustine is based on his extraordinary spiritual journey. St. Augustine is a typical example of a man who has turned completely to Christ the Lord. He can be a great role model for each of us in this regard. It shows us that it is never too late to abandon our evil way of life and turn to God, in whom we will find peace that this world cannot give. And so we cannot end our reflection other than with the magnificent hymn of St. Augustine from the first chapter of his Confession: And man wants to praise you – that tiny part of your creation! A man moaning under the burden of mortality, moaning under the burden of his sin. And yet man wants to praise you, that little part of your creation! You encourage man to praise you with joy, because you have created us for yourself, and our hearts are dissatisfied until they rest in you, O Lord! ”Saint Augustine, pray for us! Amen.