St. Augustine of Canterbury

ST. AUGUSTINE OF CANTERBURY (St. Austin) Biography

St. Augustine of Canterbury was a missionary and bishop who lived in the 6th century. He is remembered as the “Apostle to the English” and is revered as a saint by the Catholic Church.

St. Augustine was born in Italy in the early 6th century. He received a thorough education and became a monk at the monastery of St. Andrew in Rome.

In 595, Pope Gregory the Great appointed St. Augustine as the leader of a mission to convert the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity. St. Augustine and his companions set out for England, and they arrived in the kingdom of Kent in 597.

St. Augustine was welcomed by King Ethelbert of Kent, who was married to a Christian princess. King Ethelbert allowed St. Augustine to preach the Gospel and to establish a Christian community in Kent.

St. Augustine worked tirelessly to spread the Gospel and to convert the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity. He established monasteries and schools, and he became the first Archbishop of Canterbury.

St. Augustine is credited with bringing the Christian faith to England, and he is remembered as the “Apostle to the English.” He is revered as a saint by the Catholic Church, and his feast day is celebrated on May 26th.

St. Augustine is remembered for his tireless work as a missionary and for his dedication to spreading the Gospel. His life and legacy continue to inspire people all over the world, and he is remembered as a great saint and a pioneer of the Christian faith. So, St. Augustine of Canterbury was a missionary and bishop who lived in the 6th century and is remembered as the “Apostle to the English.” He was appointed by Pope Gregory the Great to lead a mission to convert the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity, and he arrived in the kingdom of Kent in 597. St. Augustine worked tirelessly to spread the Gospel and to convert the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity, and he established monasteries and schools and became the first Archbishop of Canterbury. St. Augustine is revered as a saint by the Catholic Church and is remembered for his tireless work as a missionary and for his dedication to spreading the Gospel.

Missionary Work of St. Augustine

St. Augustine shares with St. Gregory the Great the title of Apostle of the English people. In 596, thirty-nine monks, under their Abbot Augustine from St. Andrew’s monastery in Rome, were commissioned by Pope Gregory the Great to evangelize the Anglo-Saxons in England. It was on the Isle of Thanet, at or near Ebbsfleet, that they landed, and King Ethelbert welcomed them.

One day, the King sent for the monks, whom he determined to interview in the open, the better to resist, as he thought, any magic arts. Augustine and his fellow-laborers came in procession, chanting their litanies, bearing a silver cross and a painted picture of Jesus Christ. The King bade them to be seated, and listened attentively while they preached the Word of Life.

Aided by God’s grace, the King received Baptism, to the great joy of St. Augustine, on June 1st, the eve of Pentecost. Many others followed his example and were received into the One, True Fold of Christ. Learning of the wonderful success of St. Augustine, Pope Gregory appointed him a Bishop in 601, and soon thereafter as the Metropolitan of the Anglo-Saxons, with authority to establish twelve suffragan dioceses. St. Augustine chose Dovernum, now Canterbury, for his dioceses. After several years of evangelical labor among the Anglo-Saxons, St. Augustine died at Canterbury in 605.

You may also be interested in learning about St. Augustine of Hippo.

Prayer to St. Augustine of Canterbury

O Lord our God, who by your Son Jesus Christ called your Apostles and sent them forth to preach the Gospel to the nations: we bless your holy name for your servant Augustine, first Archbishop of Canterbury, whose labors in propagating your Church among the English people we commemorate; and we pray that all whom you call and send may do your will, and bide your time, and see your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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Prayer of Intercession as your put on your St. Augustine of Canterbury Medal

O Lord our God,
by your Son Jesus Christ you called your apostles and sent them forth to preach the Gospel to the nations:
We bless your holy name for your servant Augustine, first Archbishop of Canterbury, whose labors in propagating your Church among the English people we commemorate today;
and we pray that all whom you call and send may do your will, and bide your time, and see your glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

Popular St. Augustine Items

A St. Augustine of Canterbury Medal or a St. Augustine rosary is a perfect gift to any brewer or those interested in pursuing the trade. As the patron saint of brewers, wearing a St. Augustine medal daily is a perpetual prayer for Saint Augustine to intercede on behalf of the wearer. As saints are united closer to God, their prayers are more efficacious, and enriches your own prayer.

Additionally, a Saint Augustine pendant is a reminder to emulate the example of the holy saint as you develop your craft. What a beautiful testament of faith to share with the world, or to keep discretely tucked under your clothes. During the challenging moments of your day, reflect upon the holy life of St. Augustine and pray for their intercession and protection.

Popular St. Austin Medal and Rosary

Saints Similar to St. Augustine

You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. Monica. St. Augustine and St. Monica were a mother and son pair in early Christianity. St. Augustine is one of the most influential theologians and writers in Christian history, while St. Monica is revered for her prayers and influence on her son’s conversion to Christianity. Next up: Biography of St. Augustine of Hippo

 

Also check out our handmade St. Augustine Medal and St. Augustine Rosary and St. Augustine Rosary Bracelet .