Saint Augustine of Hippo is depicted
here at his death in 430, surrounded by his monks and being taking into heaven. Augustine was the spiritual father of
Saint Rita, one of her special patron saints, and the founder of the form of religious
life which she embraced at 36 and lived for forty years. His own conversion story is
well-known and inspiringly told in his famous book, Confessions. Once a Catholic,
Augustine established monastic life in Africa, was chosen to become priest and bishop and
illumined the Church by his preaching and writing. At heart he wanted only to be a servant
of God, that is, a monk, and as a monk and with his monks he died. |
