ST. AUGUSTINE

cc photo from Wikimedia Commons

Date of Birth:  November 13, 354

Birthplace:  Thagaste, Numidia (now Souk Ahras, Algeria)

Parents:  Patricius, a pagan and St. Monica, a Christian

Died:  August 28, 430 

Feast Day:  August 28

One of the most celebrated sinners turned saint in the Catholic Church is St. Augustine, who's also known as the "son of so many tears."

St. Augustine had lived an immoral life.  In the year 373, he left the Christian church and joined the Manichaean religion, much to the sorrow of his mother St. Monica who influenced him to Christianity at an early age.  He had a son born out of wedlock from a woman with whom he had an affair for many years.  But in the year 386, he was converted to Christianity and decided to serve God through priesthood. In 387, Easter Vigil, he was baptized by St. Ambrose at Milan along with his son Adeodatus. He was ordained priest in 391 and in 395, he was made Bishop of Hippo.  He died on August 28, 430. He was canonized by popular acclaim and in 1298, he was declared Doctor of the Church by Pope Boniface VIII.

St. Augustine's conversion was the result of the consistent patient prayers of his mother St. Monica.  This only shows that nothing is impossible with consistent prayers, especially prayers for the conversion of sinners.

This is my all-time favorite quote from St. Augustine:

"Reckon up the priests from the days that Peter sat, and in their ancestral ranks, note who succeeded whom; for that is the rock over which the gates of hell shall never prevail." 

St. Augustine, pray for us!


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Reference:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustine_of_Hippo

ROME'S EXORCIST FINDING BL. JOHN PAUL II EFFECTIVE AGAINST SATAN

Rome's exorcist finding Bl. John Paul II effective against Satan :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

When I read the above news, I no longer wonder why Blessed John Paul II is effective against Satan.  I know the reason.  


St. Louis Marie de Montfort wrote in his book "True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary" that Mary is Satan's most fearful enemy. This remarkable book fell in the hands of Blessed John Paul II during World War II.  It made him understand that Mary is the surest and the safest way to Christ.  His motto "Totus Tuus" was an expression of his total consecration to the mother of God.  


St. John Bosco who also had a great devotion to Mary under the title "Mary Help of Christians" said, "Invoke Mary and you will see what miracles are."  If Blessed John Paul II is effective against Satan, it's mainly because of his true devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.