The thinking of St Augustine of Hippo, a Doctor of the Church, is so influential, says Pope Benedict XVI, that he continues to leave a “deep mark on the cultural life of the West and on the whole world”.
Much of his philosophy and theology is contained in an extensive book called The City of God, but his spiritual autobiography, Confessions, has been the most popular of his works down the centuries. This classic forms an excellent introduction to Augustine, whose feast was celebrated on August 28, and demonstrates the intelligence, wit and sheer brilliance of his prose. There is also a film of Confessions which can be viewed on YouTube.
