Chief Events in the Life of St. Augustin.
(as Given, Nearly, in the
Benedictine Edition).
354. Augustin born at Tagaste, Nov. 13; his parents, Patricius and Monnica; shortly afterwards enrolled among the Catechumens.
370. Returns home from studying Rhetoric at
Madaura, after an idle childhood, and from idleness falls into
dissipation and sin.
371. Patricius dies; Augustin
supported at Carthage by his mother, and his friend Romanianus; forms an illicit connection.
372. Birth of his son Adeodatus.
373. Cicero’s Hortensius awakens in him a strong desire for true
wisdom.
374. He falls into the Manichæan heresy, and
seduces several of his acquaintances into it. His mother’s
earnest prayers for him; she is assured of his recovery.
376. Teaches Grammar at
Tagaste; but soon returns to Carthage to teach Rhetoric—gains a
prize.
379. Is recovered from study of
Astrology—writes his books De pulchro et apto.
382. Discovers the Manichæans
to be in error, but falls into scepticism. Goes to Rome to teach
Rhetoric.
385. Removes to Milan; his
errors gradually removed through the teaching of Ambrose, but he is
held back by the flesh; becomes again a Catechumen.
386. Studies St. Paul; converted through a voice
from heaven; gives up his profession; writes against the Academics; prepares for Baptism.
387. Is baptized by Bishop Ambrose, with his son
Adeodatus. Death of his mother, Monnica, in her fifty-sixth year, at Ostia.
388. Aug. revisits Rome, and then returns to
Africa. Adeodatus, full of promise, dies.
389. Aug. against his will ordained Presbyter at
Hippo by Valerius, its Bishop.
392. Writes against the Manichæans.
394. Writes against the Donatists.
395. Ordained Assistant Bishop
to Valerius, toward the end of the year.
396. Death of Bishop Valerius. Augustin elected
his successor.
397. Aug. writes the Confessions, and
the De Tinitate against the Arians.
398. Is present at the fourth Council of
Carthage.
402. Refutes the Epistle of Petilianus, a
Donatist.
404. Applies to Cæcilianus for protection against
the savageness of the Donatists.
408. Writes De urbis Romæ obsidione.
411. Takes a prominent part in a conference
between the Catholic Bishops and the Donatists.
413. Begins the composition of his great
work De Civitate Dei, completed in 426.
417. Writes De gestis Palæstinæ synodi circa Pelagium.
420. Writes against the Priscillianists.
424. Writes against the Semipelagians.
426. Appoints Heraclius his
successor.
428. Writes the Retractations.
429. Answers the Epistles of
Prosper and Hilary.
430. Dies Aug. 28, in the third month of the siege
of Hippo by the Vandals.