The Confessions of Saint Augustine

In The Confessions Saint Augustine addressed himself eloquently andpassionately to the enduring spiritual questions that have stirred the mindsand hearts of tho... » 

In The Confessions Saint Augustine addressed himself eloquently andpassionately to the enduring spiritual questions that have stirred the mindsand hearts of thoughtful men since time began. Written A.D. 397 TheConfessions are a history of the young Augustines fierce struggle to overcomehis profligate ways and achieve a life of spiritual grace.The first ten books of the work relate the story of Augustines childhood inNumidia his licentious and riotous youth and early manhood in Carthage Romeand Milan his continuous struggle with evil his attempts to find an anchorfor his faith among the Manicheans and the Neoplatonists the untiring effortsof his mother Saint Monnica to save him from selfdestruction and hisultimate conversion to the Christian faith at the age of thirtytwo.The last three books of The Confessions unrelated to the preceding account ofSaint Augustines early life are an allegorical explanation of the Mosaicaccount of Creation. Throughout the work the narrative addressed to God isintersperse with prayers meditations and instructions many of which todayare to be found in the liturgies of all sects of the Christian Church.The Confessions constitute perhaps the most moving diary ever recorded of asouls journey to grace. Appearing midway in Saint Augustines prodigious bodyof theological writings they stand among the most persuasive works of thesinnerturnedpriest who was to exercise a greater influence on Christianthought than any of the other Church fathers. «