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Augustine led a very sinful life while still young, cohabitating with a girl who was not his wife and fathering a child by her. His wayward life brought much worry, concern and many tears to his mother, Saint Monica, who prayed constantly for his conversion.

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How many siblings did Saint Augustine of Hippo have?

Augustine had a younger brother, Navigius, and sister, Perpetua.


What did Saint Augustine of Hippo do to become a saint?

St Augustine (Of Hippo) contributed to and influenced the lives of many Christians through his conversion and writings - the 'Confessions' written by Augustine were one of the most remarkable books of that period as it showed from an autobiographical opinion the correct ways to behave as a Christian follower and the many sins that Augustine commited - showing that no one is perfect, however, you will be forgiven by owning up to certain practices.


Was Augustine of Hippo a saint?

Originally, no. He turned into a rebellious teenager who turned away from God and carried out all sorts of sinful practices. His mother, St. Monica, prayed for his conversion and, eventually, her prayers were answered. Augustine repented, was baptized and turned his life around. He became a priest, then a bishop and was, perhaps, the greatest theologian the Church has ever seen.


Why did Saint Augustine of Hippo steal pears as a teenager?

Augustine explored the question of why he and his friends stole pears when he had many better pears of his own. He explains the feelings he experienced as he ate the pears and threw the rest away to the pigs. Augustine argues that he most likely would not have stolen anything had he not been in the company of others who could share in his sin. Peer pressure!


How did Saint Augustine react to Plato and Platonism?

There are a lot of parallels between St. Augustine and Platonism. Book 7 of Augustine's Confessions discusses his reading of the 'Platonic books', some books by the Platonists of his day. St. Augustine found many truths about God in Platonist philosophy, but found that it was incomplete. His true conversion to Christianity showed him that in Christ, Platonism is completed and perfected. Book 7, chapter 16 of the Confessions shows a great relation between Augustine and Plato's cave allegory, as well as the idea of Being versus Becoming. Plato accepted Plato's philosophy above all other philosophies, especially above astrology and the religion of the Manichees as mentioned in Confessions. The Platonist texts set him on the correct path in his search for God, as he began to see God as more eternal and infinite. Platonism also helped Augustine realize that evil does not really exist as a substance - kind of like Plato's idea that all desire is desire for something good. Likewise, Augustine believes that evil only exists as desire for something less than God... kind of like Plato's lesser desires which are for anything less than the form of the good. Basically, Augustine owes a lot of his personal philosophy to Platonism - he feels, however, that it is imperfect without a knowledge of Christ which he found in the Catholic faith.