Augustine was a Benedictine monk in Rome whom Pope Saint Gregory the Great sent in 596 to bring the Gospel to the Anglo-Saxon people of England. He was welcomed by King Ethelbert of Kent, whose conversion opened the way for the faith to spread, and Augustine became the first Archbishop of Canterbury. He died around the year 604 and is honored as the Apostle of England.
Augustine was afraid of the mission ahead of him and even turned back at first, yet he trusted the encouragement of Pope Gregory and went on to plant the faith in a new land. His life shows that God works through ordinary, hesitant hearts that keep going, and that gentleness and patience win souls more surely than force. He reminds us that every act of faithfulness, however small it feels, can bear fruit far beyond what we live to see.
Saint Augustine of Canterbury, who crossed the sea in trust despite your fears, pray for us and for Ben, that we may follow Christ with steady, gentle courage. Amen.Enter today’s Mass → All saints →