St. Augustine was born in Thagaste in Africa of a Berber family. He was brought up a Christian but left Church early and spent a great deal of time seriously seeking the truth by observing different heretical practices, until at length, through the prayers of his mother, St. Monica, and the teachings of St. Ambrose of Milan, he was converted back to Christianity and baptized in 387, shortly before his mother’s death.
He had a brilliant legal and academic career, but after his conversion he returned home to Africa and lead an ascetic life. He was elected Bishop of Hippo and spent 34 years as the Shepherd of his flock. He wrote enormous amount and left a permanent mark on both philosophy and theology. He was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Boniface VIII in 1308.
