Saint Augustine of Hippo, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Saint Augustine of Hippo (354–430 A.D.) is one of the greatest Doctors of the Church and theologians in Christian history. Born in Tagaste, North Africa, Augustine led a youthful life of moral wanderings and intellectual pursuit of Manichaeism while his devout mother, Saint Monica, prayed ceaselessly for his conversion. Converted in Milan under the preaching of Saint Ambrose and the grace of divine scripture ("Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ"), Augustine was baptized in 387 A.D., ordained priest, and consecrated Bishop of Hippo. For 35 years he defended Catholic orthodoxy against Donatism, Pelagianism, and Manichaeism. His monumental works—including Confessions, The City of God, and On the Trinity—profoundly shaped Western theology, articulating the doctrines of grace, original sin, divine love, and ecclesiology.