Tuesday, August 27, 2013

St. Augustine of Hippo



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“Give me chastity and continency, only not yet.”

Today, August 28, is the Roman Catholic feast day of St. Augustine, commemorated on the day of his death in 430 AD.

Augustine was born in the Roman city of Thagaste, (Souk Ahras, Algeria) and died in Hippo, now known as Annaba, Algeria.  Annaba is on the Mediterranean Sea about 350 miles east of Algiers, and Souk Ahras is about 50 miles south of Annaba.

Augustine was both educated and taught school in his hometown area, before going to Carthage for further education.  Carthage was also on the Mediterranean, about 175 miles east of Souk Ahras.  In Augustine’s era, eastern Algeria and northern Tunisia were part of the Roman client-kingdom of Numidia, with its capital at Constantine, Algeria, formerly known as Cirta.  It was renamed for the Emperor Constantine and still retains the name.

Augustine eventually left Carthage to study in Rome.  He was offered a position in Milan, and while in Milan he converted to Christianity and returned to his native Annaba, where in mid-life he became bishop.  (He died at 75)

I had to read the “Confessions of St. Augustine” when I was in college, most of which I forget.  But I’ve always remembered the part I’ve quoted at the top.  He seems to have led an interesting life in Carthage.  In the “Confessions” Augustine recounts events of his youth, like being urged to engage promiscuously in sexual adventures and bragging about them with his buddies.   He had an illegitimate son.  The more expanded quote:  “Give me chastity and continency, only not yet.  For I feared lest Thou shouldest hear me soon, and soon cure me of the disease of concupiscence, which I wished to have satisfied, rather than extinguished.” 

So Happy Feastday, St. Augustine.

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