(27 Feb 08 - RV) In his Wednesday audience Pope Benedict XVI concluded his series
of lessons on St Augustine of Hippo.
Inclement weather forced the audience
indoors this week, with the crowds of pilgrims and visitors divided between St Peter’s
Basilica and the Paul VI audience hall.
The Holy Father began by greeting those
gathered in the Vatican Basilica. “Dear Brothers and Sisters, I am pleased to
welcome all the English-speaking visitors present here today. May your stay in Rome
strengthen your faith, and grant you courage to continue your Lenten journey in prayer,
fasting, reconciliation and compassion”. He then made his way to the adjoining
audience hall where he began the last of his reflections of the life and legacy of
the great fourth century saint, with a discussion of the process of St Augustine’s
interior conversion.
“In reading his Confessions, we see that his conversion
was a life-long journey marked by a passionate search for truth. Despite living an
errant life as a young man, Augustine had learned from his mother a love for the name
of Christ. Platonic philosophy led him to recognise the existence of Logos, or creative
reason in the Universe, which he later came to understand more fully by reading Saint
Paul and finding faith in Christ. He completed this fundamental phase in his search
for truth when he was baptized in Milan by Saint Ambrose”.
Pope Benedict
XVI then moved on to the he second stage of St Augustine’s conversion, which saw
him return to Africa, where he found a small monastery with a group of friends dedicated
to contemplation and study.
“Three years later, he was ordained a priest
and turned to the life of active ministry, placing the fruits of his study at the
service of others through preaching and dialogue. The last stage was a conversion
of such profound humility that he would daily ask God for pardon. He also demonstrated
this humility in his intellectual endeavours, submitting all his works to a thorough
critique. Augustine has had a profound effect on my own life and ministry”.
Pope
Benedict XVI said it was his hope that we can all learn from this great and humble
convert who saw with such clarity that Christ is truth and love.
“Upon all
of you I invoke God’s abundant blessings of joy and peace”.