Story of Saint Augustine | English | Story of Saints

Summary

In this engaging story, two children, Jim and Joanne, find TV shows boring and eagerly await their Uncle Francis. He arrives and suggests a walk by the river, where they encounter Mr. Jonathan transporting beer barrels. Uncle Francis shares the life story of Saint Augustine, a once mischievous youth who, influenced by his devout mother Monica and Bishop Ambrose, found faith and became a revered bishop and theologian. The tale highlights Augustine's transformation, his devotion to the Church, and his legacy as a patron saint, particularly of brewers.

Takeaways

• 😀 A group of children, Jim and Joanne, find TV shows boring and look forward to their uncle's visit.
• 🚶‍♂️ Uncle Francis suggests taking a walk along the river, and the children agree, bringing along fresh cookies.
• 🐎 They encounter a horse cart driven by Mr. Jonathan, who is transporting barrels of beer.
• 🍺 Uncle Francis explains that Saint Augustine is the patron saint of brewers, among others.
• 📚 He shares the story of Saint Augustine, who was born in Tagaste to a Christian mother, Monica, and a pagan father, Patricius.
• 💔 Augustine led a troubled youth, including theft and a relationship that resulted in a child, causing concern for his mother.
• 🙏 Monica prayed fervently for Augustine's conversion, which eventually occurred after he heard a voice telling him to read the Bible.
• 📖 Augustine was baptized by Bishop Ambrose and went on to become a bishop and a prolific writer.
• ✝️ He is known for his works on Christian theology, including writings on the Holy Trinity.
• 🕊️ Saint Augustine of Hippo, as he is known, practiced poverty and charity, with his feast day celebrated on August 28.

Q & A

Who is the main character in the script and what is his relationship with the children?

The main character in the script is Uncle Francis. He is the uncle of the children, Jim and Joanne.

Why do the children find TV shows boring, and what do they prefer instead?

The children find TV shows boring and prefer listening to the stories told by their Uncle Francis.

What activity does Uncle Francis suggest to the children?

Uncle Francis suggests taking a walk along the river.

Who do Uncle Francis and the children meet during their walk, and what is he transporting?

They meet Mr. Jonathan, who is driving a horse cart and transporting barrels of beer to his warehouse.

What story does Uncle Francis start telling the children during their walk?

Uncle Francis starts telling the children the story of Saint Augustine, the patron saint of brewers, painters, and theologians.

What was Augustine's early life like, according to Uncle Francis?

Augustine was intelligent but rebellious. Despite being raised in a Christian atmosphere by his mother, Monica, he became proud and committed various wrongdoings.

What significant event led to Augustine's conversion to Christianity?

Augustine heard a voice telling him to 'take and read' a Bible that was lying next to him. He read a verse that profoundly affected him, leading to his conversion.

How did Augustine's mother, Monica, influence his spiritual journey?

Monica prayed continuously for Augustine's conversion and took him to listen to Bishop Ambrose in Milan, whose words greatly inspired Augustine.

What role did Bishop Ambrose play in Augustine's life?

Bishop Ambrose's sermons and teachings played a crucial role in Augustine's conversion to Christianity. Ambrose baptized Augustine on Easter.

What was Augustine's life like after his conversion?

After his conversion, Augustine became a priest and then the bishop of Hippo. He wrote extensively, including 113 books and over 500 sermons, and became known for his devoutness and charitable work.

What is one of the main lessons Saint Augustine learned about understanding divine mysteries?

Saint Augustine learned about the limits of human understanding regarding divine mysteries when a child (believed to be Jesus) reminded him that trying to comprehend the Holy Trinity with his small intelligence was impossible.

Why is Augustine referred to as Saint Augustine of Hippo?

Augustine is referred to as Saint Augustine of Hippo because he served as the bishop of Hippo for almost 35 years.

When did Saint Augustine die, and how is his memory honored?

Saint Augustine died on August 28, 430. His feast day is celebrated on August 28 each year, and he is honored for his contributions to the church and his extensive writings.

Outlines

00:00

🎬 A Boring TV Evening and Uncle Francis' Arrival

Jim and Joanne are bored with the TV shows they're watching and eagerly await their Uncle Francis' arrival, anticipating that his stories will be more interesting. When Uncle Francis arrives, he suggests taking a walk along the river. Joanne quickly fetches some cookies her mother made, and they head out. As they enjoy the walk, they spot a horse cart driven by Mr. Jonathan, a brewer. Uncle Francis explains that Saint Augustine is the patron saint of brewers, which piques the children's curiosity. Uncle Francis then begins to tell them the story of Saint Augustine.

05:00

🍐 Augustine's Troubled Youth

The narrative shifts to Augustine's youth, where he and his friends engage in petty theft for fun, not out of necessity. Augustine feels guilt after stealing pears, though he dismisses his feelings at first. His mother, Saint Monica, is deeply worried about him, constantly praying for his return to the church. Despite her efforts, Augustine continues on a path of wrongdoing, driven by a desire to impress his friends. Eventually, he moves to Carthage, where he falls in love and has a child, further distancing himself from his mother's teachings. His mother remains hopeful and accompanies him to Milan, where she continues to pray for his conversion.

10:01

📜 Augustine's Inner Turmoil and Spiritual Awakening

In Milan, Augustine becomes an oratory professor and is introduced to the teachings of Bishop Ambrose by his mother, Monica. Though initially reluctant, Augustine is moved by Ambrose's words, which speak of humility, charity, and love. Augustine is deeply conflicted, feeling that despite his education and accomplishments, he is missing something crucial. One day, he hears a voice telling him to 'take and read,' which leads him to a Bible. The passage he reads helps him understand the importance of faith, prompting a spiritual awakening. Overjoyed, he rushes to share the news with his mother, realizing that her prayers have been answered.

15:04

🙏 Monica's Vision and Augustine's Baptism

Monica reveals to Augustine a vision she once had, in which she saw him standing by her side, signifying his eventual conversion. This vision had given her hope and strengthened her prayers. Augustine is later baptized by Bishop Ambrose on Easter, marking the beginning of his new life. He returns to Tagaste with his mother and son, but Monica falls ill and passes away shortly after, feeling fulfilled that her prayers were answered. Augustine honors her memory and reflects on her role in his conversion. He then returns to Carthage, where he begins his life of solitude and reflection, but his reputation grows, leading him to become a priest and eventually the Bishop of Hippo.

20:07

📚 Augustine's Legacy and Contributions

Augustine's work as Bishop of Hippo is characterized by his deep commitment to the Church and the community. He writes extensively, producing numerous books, letters, and sermons. One of his most significant works is a treatise on the Holy Trinity, which he contemplates deeply. A famous anecdote describes Augustine encountering a boy who attempts to fit the entire ocean into a small hole, symbolizing the limitations of human understanding of divine mysteries. Augustine's writings and teachings inspire many, and his devotion to humility and charity is evident in his lifestyle. He is remembered as Saint Augustine of Hippo, with his feast day celebrated on August 28th each year.

Keywords

💡Uncle Francis

Uncle Francis is a character who visits his niece and nephew, Joanne and Jim. He serves as a storyteller and guide, suggesting they take a walk and sharing the story of Saint Augustine, which ties into the main theme of learning and moral growth.

💡Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine is the central figure of the story told by Uncle Francis. He is depicted as a historical and religious figure known for his transformation from a wayward youth to a devoted Christian bishop, symbolizing redemption and the power of faith.

💡Patron Saint

A patron saint is a saint regarded as the protective guardian of a person, group, trade, or place. In the video, Saint Augustine is identified as the patron saint of brewers, painters, and theologians, which highlights his significance and the respect he earned.

💡Bishop Ambrose

Bishop Ambrose is a pivotal figure in Augustine's conversion to Christianity. He is portrayed as a wise and inspiring speaker whose words profoundly impact Augustine, leading him to embrace Christianity and eventually become a bishop himself.

💡Monica

Monica is Augustine's devout Christian mother who prays fervently for his conversion. Her unwavering faith and persistent prayers play a crucial role in Augustine's eventual acceptance of Christianity, showcasing the theme of maternal love and influence.

💡Carthage

Carthage is a significant location in Augustine's life where he goes to study oratory skills and later falls into a morally questionable lifestyle. It represents a phase of his life filled with intellectual growth but also moral and spiritual struggles.

💡Conversion

Conversion refers to Augustine's profound change in beliefs and lifestyle when he embraces Christianity. This key concept is central to the story, illustrating the transformative power of faith and the possibility of redemption.

💡The Holy Trinity

The Holy Trinity is a Christian doctrine Augustine contemplates deeply. His efforts to understand it symbolize his intellectual pursuits and his realization of the limitations of human understanding in comprehending divine mysteries.

💡Tagaste

Tagaste is Augustine's birthplace and a Roman province in Northern Africa. It marks the beginning of his life's journey and his roots, which are essential to understanding his background and the starting point of his personal and spiritual development.

💡Feast Day

A feast day is a day set aside to commemorate a saint. Saint Augustine's feast day is celebrated on August 28th, marking the anniversary of his death and honoring his contributions to the Christian faith and his enduring legacy.

Highlights

The children express boredom with TV and excitement about Uncle Francis's storytelling.

Uncle Francis suggests a walk along the river, bringing a sense of adventure and anticipation.

The encounter with Mr. Jonathan and his cart introduces the concept of brewing beer.

Joan asks about Saint Augustine, leading to the story's main narrative.

Augustine's upbringing in a Christian home with a devoted mother and a pagan father sets the stage for his spiritual journey.

Young Augustine's mischievous behavior, including stealing pears, highlights his early moral struggles.

Augustine's sense of guilt and internal conflict after stealing pears shows his early conscience.

Monica's persistent prayers for her son's conversion underscore her deep faith and hope.

Augustine's move to Carthage for education and his illicit relationship introduce new challenges.

Augustine's encounter with Bishop Ambrose in Milan marks a turning point in his spiritual journey.

Bishop Ambrose's teachings about humility and serving others profoundly impact Augustine.

Augustine's inner turmoil and eventual conversion after hearing a divine voice demonstrate his transformation.

Monica's vision from God foreshadowing Augustine's conversion adds a miraculous element.

Augustine's extensive writings and efforts to explain the Holy Trinity reflect his deep theological contributions.

The story of the boy at the seashore highlights the limits of human understanding in grasping divine mysteries.

Saint Augustine's dedication to poverty and charity showcases his devoutness and compassion.

Augustine's regret of not following the Lord earlier underscores his deep commitment and reflection.

Saint Augustine's legacy as the Bishop of Hippo and his significant impact on the church are emphasized.

The celebration of Saint Augustine's feast day on August 28th each year honors his contributions.

Transcripts

[Music]

saints

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

oh all the shows on tv are so boring

yeah

i wonder when will uncle francis come

yeah the story stole by uncle is way

more interesting than these tv shows

don't you think so joanne of course jim

huh

that must be uncle francis

hippie he's here

[Music]

good evening

good evening uncle good evening uncle

what were you doing my dears

oh we were just watching tv and it was

so boring

[Music]

i have an idea why don't we take a walk

along the river

that would be a great idea it's been

many days that we went to the river

uncle give me a minute mom made some

fresh cookies today let me get those too

cookies that would be excellent

just a minute uncle

ha the weather today is excellent

look at the wind

come along jim don't stop there

hey look at the horse cart

[Music]

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

wow what is that uncle

i don't know but it looks like it's mr

jonathan who is driving the cart

[Music]

good evening jonathan

oh hello francis how are you

i'm fine what are you carrying back

there oh that barrels contain beer my

friend i'm taking these to our warehouse

okay i was just asking have a good day

my friend

good day to you francis

[Music]

you see

he is a brewer he makes beer uncle

francis i saw the picture of saint

framed inside this cod

who was that

that was saint augustine he is the

patron saint of brewers painters and

theologians

huh

saint augustine is a patterned saint for

brewers

but why is that

yes joan

do you want to hear his story

yes uncle

[Applause]

augustine was born at tagaste in the

roman province of northern africa

[Music]

augustine was the son of saint monica

and patrick who belonged to an upper

middle class family

monica his mother was a very devoted

woman

but his father patricius was a pagan

monica tried very hard to teach

christianity to augustine but this young

boy was not at all interested

huh

he's gone again

augustine was a very intelligent boy and

he was brought up in a christian

atmosphere by his mother

but he became so proud and bad that in

the end he could not see or understand

the holy truths anymore hey look

augustine is here

hey

do you have the basket

no

romania should be bringing the basket

[Music]

walk silently don't make any noise don't

let the owner know we're here

i'm sorry augustine

you get the pairs augustine we will wait

here huh why me

why don't you take the risk this time

ah come on friend you can do this

you are the one to come up with these

crazy ideas and why don't you do it

yourself

hush

be quiet

all right i'll do this one last time but

remember it's going to be you the next

time

okay okay now go

[Music]

so

[Music]

there you are

[Music]

look at that

there are so many

you are a hero my friend

hmm

this one is so tasty

[Music]

hmm

yes this is great

but what are we going to do with all of

that

let's throw it to the pigs

that's a good idea

we'll throw the rest of the pigs

[Music]

augustin didn't steal things because he

was poor or hungry his parents had

enough money to buy plenty of food and

clothing he stole just to see how it

felt

and also to become popular among friends

they usually stole far more than what

they needed and if it was food then they

fed the leftovers to the pigs

i had so much fun today

augustine couldn't sleep as guilt

pounded on his head

it kept him wide awake not letting him

sleep

um those were just some dumb pears who

cares

but he couldn't sleep even then

i i have done many bad things in my life

much worse things than i did today

but but i've never felt so bad

afterwards

augustine couldn't sleep properly that

day

and

the guilt still hurt his head

dear god

please help my child return to the

church

not today mother

later augustine

huh good good morning mother

where were you yesterday

our neighbor marcus told me that you

stole our peaches

what

no no

i

i didn't steal his speeches what good

are they anyway

i don't even like peaches i i

stop it agustin i know it was you

how long augustine

how long are you going to follow this

evil path

you are such an intelligent boy

why don't you come to the church my son

mother

mother

i will come to church but not now

i'm worried for you

ever since your father died you never

stay at home you're always getting into

some of the other trouble please listen

to me my child

i i have to go now

where are you going

i'm going to the fields to play with my

friends

god

please help my child

weeks and months passed by and augustine

got into more and more trouble trying to

impress his friends

[Music]

when augustine was 17 he went to

carthage to learn oratory skills

augustine fell in love with a woman at

carthage and they had a child from this

relationship

please god please help my son to become

a good man are you still praying mother

yes my son i was praying for god's help

to make you a good man

come on mother i'm already a good man

no my son your deeds are unforgivable

you had an illicit relationship with a

woman

and now you have a child from that

relationship

no one will approve this

hmm

anyway

i wanted to tell you that i will be

leaving for milan next week

milan but why

i have been offered a job at the

imperial court mother i'm going to be

the oratory professor there can you

believe that thank you god

my son

i know you are such a brilliant person

but i'm going to come with you to melon

all right mother if that's what you want

[Music]

augustine took his mother and traveled

to milan

they traveled for many days

[Music]

once he reached milan he took up the job

of oratory professor there

monica used to take augustine to the

church regularly hoping to change his

mind

[Music]

not again mother i have so much work to

do at office

son bishop ambrose is speaking today you

should listen to him

bishop ambrose

hmm

i have heard that he's a great speaker

all right this is going to be the last

time

people say that we are stupid

they call us fools

do you know why

because rather than holding we prefer to

give

we don't seek any positions

nor any status

because we favor humility

we don't want to rule

but we try to serve others who are less

fortunate than us

our god has taught us to love one

another

care for your neighbors

[Music]

feed the hungry

clothe the naked

for christ our lord has said

this

that

what you have done to the least of the

brethren

you have done it to me

his words

his words are so inspiring

bishop ambrose oh hey monica i want you

to meet my son agustin

augustine

i have heard a lot about you

people say that you are very good with

the words

thank you for the kind words bishop

i

i have some urgent work at office that

needs to be taken care of it was very

nice meeting you bishop

likewise my son

he's wasting his life bishop i know god

has better plans for him

if

if only you could convince him

no

monika there's no use in crying

no one can convince augustine

when he is ready

he will hear god's voice

augustine's mind was restless and

confused

he realized that the words spoken by the

bishop were true

augustine knew that many people were

joining the church people who were

illiterate poor

and less fortunate than he was

i

i don't know what to do with my life

i'm so confused

all these years i have read studied and

worked hard to come up in this world

but

but these simple uneducated people have

stepped up to your kingdom

much much before i do

why god please help me i don't know what

to do

and then he suddenly heard a voice from

somewhere

read

huh

take

and read

huh

where is that voice coming from

take and read but

there's nothing to read here

huh

a bible

clothe yourself with lord jesus christ

and don't think about how to satisfy the

desires of the sinful nature

lord jesus christ lord jesus christ and

on that day augustine began a new life

he then ran to his home to share the

good news with his mother mother

mother huh

what happened my son

mother

god has spoken to me

what it's true mother i was sitting in a

garden and i heard a voice asking me to

pick up and read the bible lying next to

me and what happened then

i read a verse from the bible

and

and

somehow those words solved all the

puzzles in my mind

i'm a new person now mother your prayers

were not in vain

thank you lord you did even more than i

asked for thank you for everything you

don't have to cry anymore mother

son i have something to tell you what is

it mother i once had a vision from god

my son vision from god

what was it mother

in the vision i stood on a plank and i

was crying

then suddenly a man

joyous smiling approached me

why are you crying

it is for my son's soul

but why

don't you see where you are

there he stands

huh

my son

you were standing next to me

god had assured me through this vision

that my prayers would be answered

mother

yes my son

augustine was baptized by bishop ambrose

on the day of easter

and shortly afterwards he returned to

tagast along with his mother and son

but when they reached the port of ostia

monica fell ill

she knew that her work had been

accomplished and that her life would

soon be over

you were going to be all right mother i

do not know what there is left for me to

do

or why am i still here

all my hopes in this world are now

fulfilled

all i wished for was to see you as a

christian

god has granted this and even more

and shortly after she died

it is the prayers of monica herself that

have been invoked by generations who

honor her as a special patroness of

married women and as an example of

christian motherhood

augustine then returned to carthage

he was looking forward to a life of

solitude and reflection but that was

never to be

his writings made him quite popular and

eventually he was made a priest

and then the bishop of hippo augustine

was very much inspired by bishop ambrose

like ambrose he embraced his

responsibility heart and soul

he was soon loved by everyone around him

augustine wrote 113 books on treatises

over 200 letters and more than 500

sermons

he spent over 30 years on a treatise

which tried to explain the mystery of

the holy trinity

he was walking by the seashore one day

contemplating and trying to understand

the mystery of the holy trinity

that's when he saw a small boy running

back and forth from the water to a spot

on the seashore

what is he doing

the boy was using a seashell to carry

the water from the ocean and place it

into a small hole in the sand

my boy what are you doing i'm trying to

bring all the sea into this hole but

but that is impossible my child

look at the hole it's so small it cannot

contain all that water

it is no more impossible than what you

are trying to do right now

huh

what am i doing

you are trying to comprehend the

immensity of the mystery of the holy

trinity with your small

intelligence huh

but

how did he know

where is he

vanity go

the child had disappeared saying those

words

[Music]

some say that it was jesus himself who

appeared to the saint

they say it was to remind him of the

limits of human understanding before the

great mysteries of faith

[Music]

saint augustine practiced poverty and

supported the poor

he became very devout and charitable too

on the wall of his room he had the

following sentence written in large

letters

here we do not speak evil of anyone

too late have i loved you

the only regret he had was not following

the lord from a younger age

that was such a nice story uncle

yes uncle we liked it very much thank

you jim and joan why is he known as

saint augustine of hippo

augustine served as the bishop of hippo

for almost 35 years

that's why everyone started calling him

saint augustine of hippo when did he die

uncle

saint augustine died on august 28 4 30.

he lived for 76 years and spent almost

40 of them laboring for the church

his feast day is celebrated on 28th

august every year

may the prayers and supplications of the

great saint augustine be with us

amen

[Applause]

[Music]

um

[Music]

saints