St. Augustine of Hippo, Bishop & Theologian

CORRECTION: The notice yesterday regarding the death was incorrect and I apologize for the mistake.

 

PLEASE REMEMBER WILFRED MILBURN, JR. AND HIS ENTIRE FAMILY AS THEY MOURN THE DEATH OF WILFRED MILBURN, SR. WHO DIED ON TUESDAY. 

 

LET US PRAY: Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant WilFRED. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

 

Today is the actual feast day of our patron saint, St. Augustine (or Austin) of Hippo, a bishop and theologian (Latin: Aurelius Augustinus).   He was born on 13 November 354 in North Africa, about 45 miles south of the Mediterranean, in the town of Tagaste in Numidia (now Souk-Ahras,  Algeria), near ancient Carthage, modern Tunis.  His mother, Monica (sometimes spelled “Monnica”), was a Christian who married a Roman and non-believer, Patricius.   

 

He was a seeker who dabbled in a little bit of everything.  Augustine was also brilliant.  Nevertheless, in his earlier years was concerned with sex, fame, and his own cleverness.  He would have fit in perfectly in today’s world. Augustine converted to Christianity after a period of hard living, and after he met St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, another brilliant man.

 

Augustine is known for his theological works, which include, The City of God, On the Trinity, On Christian Doctrine, and On Free Choice Of The Will.

 

Here are some memorable quotes from Augustine:

 

Men go abroad to admire the heights of mountains, the mighty waves of the sea, the broad tides of rivers, the compass of the ocean, and the circuits of the stars, yet pass over the mystery of themselves without a thought. - Confessions

 

No man can be a good bishop if he loves his title but not his task. – City of God

 

What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.

 

Since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special attention to those who, by the accidents of time, or place, or circumstances, are brought into closer connection with you. - On Christian Teaching

 

Let us pray: Lord God, the light of the minds that know you, the life of the souls that love you, and the strength of the hearts that serve you: Help us, following the example of your servant Augustine of Hippo, so to know you that we may truly love you, and so to love you that we may fully serve you, whom to serve is perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 

THIS SUNDAY WE WILL CELEBRATE THE FEAST OF ST. AUGUSTINE STARTING WITH THE 9 AM EUCHARIST AND A POT LUCK LUNCH FOLLOWING. PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING CANNED GOODS FOR ST. VINCENT'S HOUSE.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550