On Saint Augustine

Today Mother Church celebrates the life of one of her present Holy Father's favorite saints, Saint Augustine of Hippo, the Doctor of Grace.

In his weekly Wednesday General Audiences, Pope Benedict XVI has devoted five separate catecheses to Saint Augustine:

1. on his life;
2. on his last days;
3. on his search for the truth;
4. on his writings; and
5. and on his conversion.

The Holy Father also devoted a large part of his address to the youth of the world at the World Youth Day 2008 Vigil to Saint Augustine's understanding of the Holy Spirit.

Benedict XVI also made a pilgrimage to the tomb of Saint Augustine in Pavia, Italy.

The writings of the Doctor of Grace are also interspersed by the Holy Father throughout his writings, both as a Cardinal and as Supreme Pontiff.

If you haven't yet read Saint Augustine's Confessions it really is time to do so. Pope Benedict said of the words of Saint Augustine:

Indeed, it would have been wonderful to listen to him when he was alive. But he truly lives in his works, he is present with us, and this is how we see the permanent vitality of his faith to which he had dedicated all his life.

Now, go, read his Confessions.