Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: All
Vultus Christi

A Light As It Were of Serenity

 on August 28, 2012 7:52 AM |
augustinus.jpg

From The Confessions of Saint Augustine:

Take Up and Read

So was I speaking and weeping in the most bitter contrition of my heart, when, lo! I heard from a neighbouring house a voice, as of boy or girl, I know not, chanting, and oft repeating, "Take up and read; Take up and read. " Instantly, my countenance altered, I began to think most intently whether children were wont in any kind of play to sing such words: nor could I remember ever to have heard the like.

As With Saint Antony

So checking the torrent of my tears, I arose; interpreting it to be no other than a command from God to open the book, and read the first chapter I should find. For I had heard of Antony, that coming in during the reading of the Gospel, he received the admonition, as if what was being read was spoken to him: Go, sell all that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come and follow me: and by such oracle he was forthwith converted unto Thee.

I Seized, Opened, and in Silence Read

Eagerly then I returned to the place where Alypius was sitting; for there had I laid the volume of the Apostle when I arose thence. I seized, opened, and in silence read that section on which my eyes first fell: Not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying; but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, in concupiscence.

Instantly

No further would I read; nor needed I: for instantly at the end of this sentence, by a light as it were of serenity infused into my heart, all the darkness of doubt vanished away.


40 posted on 08/28/2012 6:51:16 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies ]


To: All
Vultus Christi

8 August: Saint Augustine
| | Comments (0)

augustinus_086.jpg

Here are some lovely texts for the feast of Saint Augustine.

At First Vespers

Holy Father Saint Augustine,
Hearken to thy children's cry;
Plea for us as now thou standest
Near the throne of God on high:
Guide thy flock, O loving Shepherd,
Who to us in Christ art nigh.

Holy poverty's true lover,
All Christ's poor ones hymn thy praise,
Truth's own champion and defender,
Loved by all who seek her ways;
Scripture's God-enlightened teacher,
All her wealth thy pen displays.

Lighting depths obscure and hidden,
Thou dost break us heavenly bread
From the doctrine of our Saviour,
From the gracious words He said;
With the Psalms life-giving nectar
All who learn of thee are fed.

For the white-robed canon's choir
Laws of wisdom thou didst frame:
Those who love thy words and keep them,
Thy sure patronage may claim;
Safe, they tread the ways of Sion,
Calling on thy worthy name.

Glory to the King of Ages;
Praise and triumph to his reign;
Joining with the choir of Angels,
Let us sound our answering strain;
E'en now, 'neath our Patron's banner,
Citizens of heaven's domain. Amen.

V. Blessed is the man that Thou chastenest, O Lord.
R. And teachest in Thy law.

On this day the holy prelate Augustine was set free
from the bonds of the flesh
and received amongst the Angels;
and there for ever he doth rejoice with the Apostles and Prophets;
full of whose spirit he was able to expound upon earth
the heavenly mysteries which they had set forth;
and following in whose steps he shone pre-eminent
as a dispenser of the Word of God.

Let us pray.

O God, who openedst the eyes of blessed Augustine
to the deep mysteries of Thy wisdom,
and in his heart didst set alight the fire of divine charity:
give us grace at his intercession;
that seeing clearly in Thy light,
and burning with godly love,
we may run in the way of Thy commandments.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son,
who with Thee liveth and reigneth
in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
ever one God, world without end.


41 posted on 08/28/2012 6:52:15 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson