The following bio of the early life of St. Augustine is taken from Patron Saints Index.

St. Augustine of Hippo

His father was a pagan who converted on his death bed; his mother was Saint Monica,
a devout Christian.

Trained in Christianity, he lost his faith in youth and led a wild life. Lived with a Carthaginian woman from the age of 15 through 30. Fathered a son whom he named Adeotadus, which means the gift of God.

Taught rhetoric at Carthage and Milan. After investigating and experimenting with several philosophies, he became a Manichaean for several years; it taught of a great struggle between good and evil, and featured a lax moral code. A summation of his thinking at the time comes from his Confessions: "God, give me chastity and continence - but not just now."

Augustine finally broke with the Manichaeans and was converted by the prayers of his
mother and the help of Saint Ambrose of Milan, who baptized him.

Saint Augustine is a Doctor of the Church.


Read the Works of St. Augustine Online