Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe

As a young man, Saint Augustine was torn between conflicting world-views: born to a pagan father and Christian mother, he lived a hedonistic life as a traveller and a scholar until he converted to Christianity at the age of 31. Just five years later, he was ordained as a priest.

His Confessions are a remarkably honest autobiographical account, documenting his life before and after this spiritual enlightenment, and includes his philosophies on salvation and divine grace, the doctrine of original sin, and his foundation for the ‘just war’ theory.

This patron saint of theologians, Saint Augustine is regarded as one of the most important figures of the Latin Church, and many of his prayers and meditations are still an integral part of the practice of Christianity today.

Saint Augustine of Hippo was born in Thagaste, present-day Algeria, in 354 AD. A theologian and philosopher, his writings, including Confessions and The City of God, have left an enduring legacy on Christian thought. He is recognised as one of the Latin Fathers of the Church and as a Roman Catholic Doctor of the Church.