Who was our Patron Saint?

St Augustine was born in 354 AD in Tagaste, Numidia (now Souk Ahras, in Algeria) and he was the Bishop of Hippo from 396 to 430. Hippo is present day Annaba in Algeria. The fourth century theologian was very committed to the concepts of community and humility, and Pope Leo XIV is the first pontiff from the order that follows St Augustine’s teachings. He visited St Augustine’s birthplace in April 2026 and that visit marked the first visit to Algeria by any pope.

St. Augustine was one of the Latin Fathers of the Church, and perhaps the most significant Christian thinker after St Paul - who wrote two thirds of the New Testament.

St Augustine was a prolific writer and influenced much of fifth century Christian thinking. So outstanding and important was his life and ministry, that in Roman Catholicism he is formally recognised as a Doctor of the Church.

A Prayer Attributed to St Augustine of Hippo...

‘Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give Your angels and saints charge over those who sleep.
Tend Your sick ones, O Lord Christ.
Rest Your weary ones.
Bless Your dying ones.
Soothe Your suffering ones.
Pity Your afflicted ones.
Shield Your joyous ones, and all for Your love's sake. Amen.’

Hymn by Timothy Dudley Smith b. 1926
(Based on a prayer of St Augustine of Hippo)

Light of the minds that know him,
may Christ be light to mine!
My sun in risen splendour,
my light of truth divine;
my guide in doubt and darkness,
my true and living way,
my clear light ever shining,
my dawn of heaven's day.

Life of the souls that love him,
may Christ be ours indeed!
The living Bread from heaven
on whom our spirits feed;
who died for love of sinners
to bear our guilty load,
and make of life's journey
a new Emmaus road.

Strength of the wills that serve him,
may Christ be strength to me,
who stilled the storm and tempest,
who calmed the tossing sea;
his Spirit's power to move me,
his will to master mine,
his cross to carry daily
and conquer in his sign.

May it be ours to know him
that we may truly love,
and loving, fully serve him
as serve the saints above;
till in that home of glory
with fadeless splendour bright,
we serve in perfect freedom
our strength, our life, our light.