St. Augustine of Hippo

Feast Day:  August 28

"In the fourth century, St. Augustine, patron of the Diocese of Superior, offered this reflection upon being called to serve the Diocese of Hippo:

"What I am for you terrifies me; what I am with you consoles me. For you I am a bishop; but with you I am a Christian. The former is a duty; the latter a grace. The former is a danger; the latter, salvation."
 

Upon reflection, it's good to know that he felt as I do at the prospect of leading God's people as newly appointed bishop. St. Augustine -- pray for us!" 
— Bishop Peter F. Christenson     

 St. Augustine: 10 Things to know and share
 Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register

Some paintings of St. Augustine, as well as stained glass artwork, feature St. Augustine holding a heart, the universal symbol representing the core and essence of the human person. It serves to symbolize Augustine’s profound love of God and of his fellow sisters and brothers, as well as, God’s unfathomable love for each of us, and his command to love one another as he has loved us.

As with the two on the road to Emmaus:

“Didn’t our hearts burn within us while He was speaking with us on the road, while He was explaining the scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32), so Augustine loved the truth of Christ and His word.

Portrait of Saint Augustine by Philippe de Champaigne

In the left corner of a painting is a  luminescent “veritas” (see image at right) that captures Augustine’s attention. Veritas means truth, the flames of Augustine’s heart are drawn towards truth. The flaming heart – a heart on fire for God – was one of Augustine’s traditional attributes (as mentioned above).

The painting is located at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in California.

External Links:

Augustine of Hippo—Apostolic Letter of John Paul II on August 28, 1986