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The first autobiography ever written, and one of the most profound testaments of faith, ever.
The Confessions of Saint Augustine is considered the all time number one Christian classic. Augustine undertook his greatest piece of writing with the conviction that God wanted him to make this confession. The Confessions are, in fact, an extended poetic, passionate, intimate prayer. The Bishop of Hippo was probably forty-three when he began this endeavor. He had been a baptized Catholic for ten years, a priest for six, and a bishop for only two. His pre-baptismal life raised questions in the community. Was his conversion genuine? The first hearers were captivated, as many millions have been over the following sixteen centuries. His experience of God speaks to us across time with little need of transpositions.
Edited by Hal M. Helms, Foreword by Fr. Mark Henninger
St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430) was a one of the most important figures in the development of Western Christianity. After a series of personal crises, and years of serious study and debate, he converted to Christianity and eventually became the Bishop of Hippo, in northern Africa. His two masterpieces, The Confessions and The City of God are two of the most-read Christian classics in history.
Fr. Mark Henninger has been teaching The Confessions for decades as the Edward Martin Chair of Medieval Philosophy, Georgetown University.
“This book is the masterpiece from which all other Christian memoirs flow. Augustine’s astonishing story remains as fresh as it did when he wrote it in the late fourth century. The Confessions still speaks with a clear, vivid and altogether distinctive voice to believers and seekers searching for the One who will give rest to their restless hearts.”
– James Martin, SJ, author of My Life with the Saints
