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The Confessions of St. Augustine
The second book of the Catholic Classics series, The Confessions of St. Augustine , is an updated translation of the key work of Catholic tradition that is accessible for modern readers . Often considered one of the most influential and inspiring works of the saints, this classic yet relevant text was written by the Doctor of the Church as a prayer to God, confessing his faith despite past mistakes and recognizing the ways that God has transformed his heart. Through the years, it has remained a key reflection on the spiritual life for believers who seek to persevere through weakness toward the glory of heaven. Exploring topics such as understanding Sacred Scripture, the weakness of the human heart, and the transformative power of an encounter with the living God, this text draws readers ever closer to God through St. Augustine’s conversations with the heavenly Father who called him out of a life of sin and onto the path toward sainthood .
With a new translation by Dr. Matthew Minerd, this special version renews Catholics' understanding and appreciation of this spiritual classic. It also
This beautiful book draws all Catholics into a deeper relationship with God in their pursuit of holiness through the honesty, authenticity, and wisdom of one of the Church’s greatest saints.
With a new translation by Dr. Matthew Minerd, this special version renews Catholics' understanding and appreciation of this spiritual classic. It also
This beautiful book draws all Catholics into a deeper relationship with God in their pursuit of holiness through the honesty, authenticity, and wisdom of one of the Church’s greatest saints.
420 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 28, 2023
104 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Augustine of Hippo
3,338 books2,015 followersEarly church father and philosopher Saint Augustine served from 396 as the bishop of Hippo in present-day Algeria and through such writings as the autobiographical
Confessions
in 397 and the voluminous
City of God
from 413 to 426 profoundly influenced Christianity, argued against Manichaeism and Donatism, and helped to establish the doctrine of original sin.
An Augustinian follows the principles and doctrines of Saint Augustine.
People also know Aurelius Augustinus in English of Regius (Annaba). From the Africa province of the Roman Empire, people generally consider this Latin theologian of the greatest thinkers of all times. He very developed the west. According to Jerome, a contemporary, Augustine renewed "the ancient Faith."
The Neo-Platonism of Plotinus afterward heavily weighed his years. After conversion and his baptism in 387, Augustine developed his own approach to theology and accommodated a variety of methods and different perspectives. He believed in the indispensable grace to human freedom and framed the concept of just war. When the Western Roman Empire started to disintegrate from the material earth, Augustine developed the concept of the distinct Catholic spirituality in a book of the same name. He thought the medieval worldview. Augustine closely identified with the community that worshiped the Trinity. The Catholics and the Anglican communion revere this preeminent doctor. Many Protestants, especially Calvinists, consider his due teaching on salvation and divine grace of the theology of the Reformation. The Eastern Orthodox also consider him. He carries the additional title of blessed. The Orthodox call him "Blessed Augustine" or "Saint Augustine the Blessed."
Santo Agostinho
An Augustinian follows the principles and doctrines of Saint Augustine.
People also know Aurelius Augustinus in English of Regius (Annaba). From the Africa province of the Roman Empire, people generally consider this Latin theologian of the greatest thinkers of all times. He very developed the west. According to Jerome, a contemporary, Augustine renewed "the ancient Faith."
The Neo-Platonism of Plotinus afterward heavily weighed his years. After conversion and his baptism in 387, Augustine developed his own approach to theology and accommodated a variety of methods and different perspectives. He believed in the indispensable grace to human freedom and framed the concept of just war. When the Western Roman Empire started to disintegrate from the material earth, Augustine developed the concept of the distinct Catholic spirituality in a book of the same name. He thought the medieval worldview. Augustine closely identified with the community that worshiped the Trinity. The Catholics and the Anglican communion revere this preeminent doctor. Many Protestants, especially Calvinists, consider his due teaching on salvation and divine grace of the theology of the Reformation. The Eastern Orthodox also consider him. He carries the additional title of blessed. The Orthodox call him "Blessed Augustine" or "Saint Augustine the Blessed."
Santo Agostinho
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 10, 2024
I read this along Fr Gregory on Ascensions Podcast Catholic Classics. Very interesting and made much more clear and understandable with explanation by Father Pine and his cohost.
December 2, 2023
Reading this volume was a bit of a different process. It is the second in a new series from Ascension press called Catholic Classics, and there is a podcast version by Gregory Pine and Jacob Bertrand Janczyk. I listened to the podcast in the morning and then read the associated sections in the afternoon. In essence I worked through the book twice. I did find I had to speed up Gregory and Jacob, but even with that it was great to listen to their commentary each day, and read their commentary before the different sections of the book. The description of this edition of this book is:
“The powerful witness of St. Augustine’s spiritual journey empowers all the faithful to strive for heaven.
The second book of the Catholic Classics series, The Confessions of St. Augustine, is an updated translation of the key work of Catholic tradition that is accessible for modern readers.
Often considered one of the most influential and inspiring works of the saints, this classic yet relevant text was written by the Doctor of the Church as a prayer to God, confessing his faith despite past mistakes and recognizing the ways that God has transformed his heart. Through the years, it has remained a key reflection on the spiritual life for believers who seek to persevere through weakness toward the glory of heaven.
Exploring topics such as understanding Sacred Scripture, the weakness of the human heart, and the transformative power of an encounter with the living God, this text draws readers ever closer to God through St. Augustine’s conversations with the heavenly Father who called him out of a life of sin and onto the path toward sainthood.
With a new translation by Dr. Matthew Minerd, this special version renews Catholics' understanding and appreciation of this spiritual classic. It also includes:
• Expert commentary from Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P., and Fr. Jacob Bertrand Janczyk, O.P. introducing each of its 13 books
• A message from the authors about the relevance of this ancient text to the modern-day Catholic
• An insert of sacred art of St. Augustine from Ascension’s Sacred Art Collection of Holy Men and Women by Tianna Williams
• A leatherlike cover, foil stamping, and a place-holding ribbon
This beautiful book draws all Catholics into a deeper relationship with God in their pursuit of holiness through the honesty, authenticity, and wisdom of one of the Church’s greatest saints.”
The sections and chapters in this edition are:
About the Catholic Classics
Editor’s Remarks by Matthew K. Minerd
Introduction by Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P., and Fr. Jacob Bertrand Janczyk, O.P.
Commentary on Book 1
Book 1
Commentary on Book 2
Book 2
Commentary on Book 3
Book 3
Commentary on Book 4
Book 4
Commentary on Book 5
Book 5
Commentary on Book 6
Book 6
Commentary on Book 7
Book 7
Commentary on Book 8
Book 8
Commentary on Book 9
Book 9
Commentary on Book 10
Book 10
Commentary on Book 11
Book 11
Commentary on Book 12
Book 12
Commentary on Book 13
Book 13
Notes
This edition has it’s:
Nihil obstat: Reverend Msgr. J Brian Bransfield, Censor librorum, May 9, 2023
Imprimatur: Most Reverend Nelson J. Perez, Archbishop of Philadelphia, May 17, 2023
Now please note there are over 300 editions of this book in English. By several different translators, from various publishers and wither with and without commentary. Because the book is now in public domain many, many editions are just copies of each other. We are informed about Catholic Classics from Ascension Press that:
“There are texts by great saints that many devout Catholics are convinced they should read, but perhaps they feel overwhelmed by the thought. Most of these texts were originally written in a foreign language centuries ago. The available English translations often use terminology that has fallen out of use, making them more challenging to the modern reader. One can leave such texts with more questions than answers. They can seem unapproachable to all but scholars.
But these writings were intended as gifts to all of God’s faithful so that we can know more about God and, more importantly, so that we can know God. Each saint, each Doctor of the Church, each mystic reflects some aspect of the beauty and goodness of our creator.
To help renew Catholics’ appreciation of these works, Ascension has created this series, Catholic Classics. With updated translations, the works are more readable to modern eyes. Added introductions and commentary help unlock the text and give context to the original author’s references.
The peacock is the symbol for the Catholic Classics. It is an ancient Christian symbol of eternal life and the resurrection that reflects the perennial nature of these classics and the new life they will breathe into your spiritual life as you read them. The Scriptures tell us that King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom, kept peacocks, which were a mark of his grandeur (1 Kings 10:22). The peacock evokes the great wisdom contained in these classic works.
As you read, remember to use this opportunity as a moment of encounter with the living God. Pray as you read. See Christ in the words of his servants—of his friends—and know that he waits there for you.”
Matthew K. Minerd as editor and translator states:
“This book is a deep editing and reworking of a translation of The Confessions of St. Augustine from the 1800s, undertaken in close consultation with the original Latin of the text. The base text used for this project was a very literal rendering of Augustine’s prose and, therefore, has been subject to deep revision. Various aspects of Latin style and cadence differ significantly from the way the English language, especially contemporary English, is able to express thoughts. While remaining faithful to the text, its content, and even its rhetorical form, the translator must not allow adherence to Latinate linguistic forms to make the reading of a work in English unnecessarily difficult. Therefore, the book you are now holding is a completely new rendering of this great classic of Western spirituality and thought.
It is with trepidation that someone offers a translation of a text such as this. Anybody who is familiar with the style of the Doctor of Grace knows that St. Augustine’s prowess with words is immense. How true do we find here a confirmation of the often-cited Italian maxim “Traduttore, traditore”: the translator is a traitor! How difficult it is to capture the linguistic and rhetorical mastery expressed in the Confessions!
In the book you are now holding, I have striven to present this important work in a way that is completely faithful to St. Augustine’s original. However, many translations of this work exist, so there must be some justification for a new one presented by Ascension. Therefore, I have worked to make the Confessions accessible to those who will listen to the accompanying Catholic Classics podcast, which will unpack the riches of Augustine’s words. Therefore, in the back of my mind as I worked on this volume, I always heeded how the words would sound when read aloud.”
Some samples of selections from this volume are:
“Book 1 #1 Great are you, O Lord, and highly to be praised. Great is your power, and infinite your wisdom (see Psalm 145:3 and 147:5). Man wishes to praise you. But what is man? A mere particle within your creation. He bears within himself his own mortality, in witness to his sin, in witness to the fact that you, O God, resist the proud (see James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5). And yet, man, this mere particle in your creation, wishes to praise you. You rouse us to take delight in your praise, for you made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you.
Grant, O Lord, that I might know and understand which is first: to call upon you or to praise you? And again: do we first know you or first call upon you? For who can call upon you if he does not first know you? Indeed, he who does not know you might well call upon you in a way that is, in fact, not in accord with who you truly are. Or, rather, do we first call upon you so that we might know you? “But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? … And how are they to hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14). And, they who seek the Lord shall praise him (Psalm 22:26). For they who seek shall find him (see Matthew 7:7). I will seek you, Lord, by calling upon you, and I will call upon you in faith, for we have heard the word of preaching spoken about you. My faith, O Lord, shall call upon you, the faith that you have given me, the faith that you have inspired in me through the incarnation of your Son, through the ministry of your preacher.”
“Book 2 #4 Theft is punished by your law, O Lord, and by the law written upon the hearts of men, which iniquity itself does not erase. For what thief will abide a thief? Not even a rich thief will abide someone who steals because of his poverty. Yet, I lusted to steal and did so, compelled by no hunger, nor by poverty, but from a contempt for justice and an excess of iniquity. For I stole something that I had enough of, and indeed more than enough. Nor did I care to enjoy what I stole but, rather, took joy in the theft and sin itself. Near our vineyard there was a pear tree laden with fruit, tempting neither in its color nor in its taste. Some of us lewd young men went, late one night (for in our pestilential custom we continued our playing of sports in the streets until that time of day), to shake and rob this tree. We took huge loads, not to eat them but instead to fling them to the hogs, having ourselves only tasted them. We did all this only in order to do something that we liked merely because it was disliked. Behold my heart, O God, behold my heart, which you had mercy upon in the lowest depths of the bottomless pit. Now, behold, let my heart tell you what it sought there, seeking to be gratuitously evil, tempted to commit this evil solely by the evil itself. It was foul, and I loved it. I loved to perish and loved my own fault, not that for which I was at fault but, rather, my fault itself. What a foul soul, falling from your firmament to utter destruction, not seeking anything through shame except shame itself!”
“Book 4 #9 This is what is loved in friends, indeed loved such that a man’s conscience condemns itself if he does not love him who loves him in return or does not love in return him who loves him, looking for nothing from this person other than indications of his love. Thus, we see the source of the mourning that follows upon the death of such a friend, with dark sorrows, the heart being soaked with tears and all sweetness turning to bitterness, and also the death of the living that follows upon the loss of life suffered by the dying. Blessed is he who loves you, and his friend in you, and his enemy for your sake. For he alone loses nobody who is dear to him, to whom all are dear in him who cannot be lost. And who is this but our God, the God that made heaven and earth (see Genesis 1:1) and fills them (see Jeremiah 23:24) because by filling them he created them? None lose you except those who depart from you. And he who departs from you, where does he go or where does he flee if not from you well-pleased to you displeased. For in the midst of his punishment where does he not encounter your law? And your law is truth, as you are (see Psalm 119:142; John 14:6).”
“Book 7 #8 Yet you, O Lord, abide forever (see Psalm 102:12), but you are not angry with us forever. For you take pity upon the dust and ashes from which we are made, and it was pleasing in your sight to reform my deformities. Inwardly prodding me, you roused me, so that I should be ill at ease, until you at last would be manifested to my inward sight. Thus, by your secret medicine my swelling abated, and the troubled and dimmed eyesight of mind was healed day by day by the bitter salve of healing sorrows.”
“Book 13 #1 I call upon you, O my God, my Mercy, who created me and does not forget me, though I forget you. I call you into my soul, which you prepare for yourself by the longing that you yourself inspire in it. Forsake me not now that I call upon you, who aided me before I even called and urged me onward with so great a variety of repeated callings, that I might hear you from afar, be converted, and call upon you who called out for me. For you, O Lord, blot out all that my evil has deserved, lest you repay into my hands, with which I fell from you, the recompense that would be justly owed to me. And you have been the source of all the goods that I deserve, so that you repay the work of your own hands, with which you made me. For before I was, you were. Nor was I anything, to which you might grant being. And yet, behold, I am, because of your goodness, which is the source that precedes all that you have made me to be, yes, because of that goodness from which you made me. For neither do you have any need of me, nor am I any sort of good that would be helpful for you, my Lord and God. I do not serve you as though you would tire out in your work without me or as though your power might be less if it lacked my service. Nor is it a question of cultivating your service like a land that would remain uncultivated without my labors cultivating you. Rather, I serve and worship you so that I might receive well-being from you, the very source of the fact that I have a being capable of well-being.”
I hope those few samples give you a feel for this translation. This is an excellent volume, and a great version of it. I have read at least 2 other translations while in school. And great to read or follow along with the pod cast. This book was a wonderful read. It challenged me personally and I know it will do the same for you. I am thankful for having read and to be slowly applying the lessons from this Saint and Doctor of the church. And I look forward to the other volumes from his pen. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next Catholic Classics from Ascension Press.
This book is part of a series of reviews: 2023 Catholic Reading Plan!
“The powerful witness of St. Augustine’s spiritual journey empowers all the faithful to strive for heaven.
The second book of the Catholic Classics series, The Confessions of St. Augustine, is an updated translation of the key work of Catholic tradition that is accessible for modern readers.
Often considered one of the most influential and inspiring works of the saints, this classic yet relevant text was written by the Doctor of the Church as a prayer to God, confessing his faith despite past mistakes and recognizing the ways that God has transformed his heart. Through the years, it has remained a key reflection on the spiritual life for believers who seek to persevere through weakness toward the glory of heaven.
Exploring topics such as understanding Sacred Scripture, the weakness of the human heart, and the transformative power of an encounter with the living God, this text draws readers ever closer to God through St. Augustine’s conversations with the heavenly Father who called him out of a life of sin and onto the path toward sainthood.
With a new translation by Dr. Matthew Minerd, this special version renews Catholics' understanding and appreciation of this spiritual classic. It also includes:
• Expert commentary from Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P., and Fr. Jacob Bertrand Janczyk, O.P. introducing each of its 13 books
• A message from the authors about the relevance of this ancient text to the modern-day Catholic
• An insert of sacred art of St. Augustine from Ascension’s Sacred Art Collection of Holy Men and Women by Tianna Williams
• A leatherlike cover, foil stamping, and a place-holding ribbon
This beautiful book draws all Catholics into a deeper relationship with God in their pursuit of holiness through the honesty, authenticity, and wisdom of one of the Church’s greatest saints.”
The sections and chapters in this edition are:
About the Catholic Classics
Editor’s Remarks by Matthew K. Minerd
Introduction by Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P., and Fr. Jacob Bertrand Janczyk, O.P.
Commentary on Book 1
Book 1
Commentary on Book 2
Book 2
Commentary on Book 3
Book 3
Commentary on Book 4
Book 4
Commentary on Book 5
Book 5
Commentary on Book 6
Book 6
Commentary on Book 7
Book 7
Commentary on Book 8
Book 8
Commentary on Book 9
Book 9
Commentary on Book 10
Book 10
Commentary on Book 11
Book 11
Commentary on Book 12
Book 12
Commentary on Book 13
Book 13
Notes
This edition has it’s:
Nihil obstat: Reverend Msgr. J Brian Bransfield, Censor librorum, May 9, 2023
Imprimatur: Most Reverend Nelson J. Perez, Archbishop of Philadelphia, May 17, 2023
Now please note there are over 300 editions of this book in English. By several different translators, from various publishers and wither with and without commentary. Because the book is now in public domain many, many editions are just copies of each other. We are informed about Catholic Classics from Ascension Press that:
“There are texts by great saints that many devout Catholics are convinced they should read, but perhaps they feel overwhelmed by the thought. Most of these texts were originally written in a foreign language centuries ago. The available English translations often use terminology that has fallen out of use, making them more challenging to the modern reader. One can leave such texts with more questions than answers. They can seem unapproachable to all but scholars.
But these writings were intended as gifts to all of God’s faithful so that we can know more about God and, more importantly, so that we can know God. Each saint, each Doctor of the Church, each mystic reflects some aspect of the beauty and goodness of our creator.
To help renew Catholics’ appreciation of these works, Ascension has created this series, Catholic Classics. With updated translations, the works are more readable to modern eyes. Added introductions and commentary help unlock the text and give context to the original author’s references.
The peacock is the symbol for the Catholic Classics. It is an ancient Christian symbol of eternal life and the resurrection that reflects the perennial nature of these classics and the new life they will breathe into your spiritual life as you read them. The Scriptures tell us that King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom, kept peacocks, which were a mark of his grandeur (1 Kings 10:22). The peacock evokes the great wisdom contained in these classic works.
As you read, remember to use this opportunity as a moment of encounter with the living God. Pray as you read. See Christ in the words of his servants—of his friends—and know that he waits there for you.”
Matthew K. Minerd as editor and translator states:
“This book is a deep editing and reworking of a translation of The Confessions of St. Augustine from the 1800s, undertaken in close consultation with the original Latin of the text. The base text used for this project was a very literal rendering of Augustine’s prose and, therefore, has been subject to deep revision. Various aspects of Latin style and cadence differ significantly from the way the English language, especially contemporary English, is able to express thoughts. While remaining faithful to the text, its content, and even its rhetorical form, the translator must not allow adherence to Latinate linguistic forms to make the reading of a work in English unnecessarily difficult. Therefore, the book you are now holding is a completely new rendering of this great classic of Western spirituality and thought.
It is with trepidation that someone offers a translation of a text such as this. Anybody who is familiar with the style of the Doctor of Grace knows that St. Augustine’s prowess with words is immense. How true do we find here a confirmation of the often-cited Italian maxim “Traduttore, traditore”: the translator is a traitor! How difficult it is to capture the linguistic and rhetorical mastery expressed in the Confessions!
In the book you are now holding, I have striven to present this important work in a way that is completely faithful to St. Augustine’s original. However, many translations of this work exist, so there must be some justification for a new one presented by Ascension. Therefore, I have worked to make the Confessions accessible to those who will listen to the accompanying Catholic Classics podcast, which will unpack the riches of Augustine’s words. Therefore, in the back of my mind as I worked on this volume, I always heeded how the words would sound when read aloud.”
Some samples of selections from this volume are:
“Book 1 #1 Great are you, O Lord, and highly to be praised. Great is your power, and infinite your wisdom (see Psalm 145:3 and 147:5). Man wishes to praise you. But what is man? A mere particle within your creation. He bears within himself his own mortality, in witness to his sin, in witness to the fact that you, O God, resist the proud (see James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5). And yet, man, this mere particle in your creation, wishes to praise you. You rouse us to take delight in your praise, for you made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you.
Grant, O Lord, that I might know and understand which is first: to call upon you or to praise you? And again: do we first know you or first call upon you? For who can call upon you if he does not first know you? Indeed, he who does not know you might well call upon you in a way that is, in fact, not in accord with who you truly are. Or, rather, do we first call upon you so that we might know you? “But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? … And how are they to hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14). And, they who seek the Lord shall praise him (Psalm 22:26). For they who seek shall find him (see Matthew 7:7). I will seek you, Lord, by calling upon you, and I will call upon you in faith, for we have heard the word of preaching spoken about you. My faith, O Lord, shall call upon you, the faith that you have given me, the faith that you have inspired in me through the incarnation of your Son, through the ministry of your preacher.”
“Book 2 #4 Theft is punished by your law, O Lord, and by the law written upon the hearts of men, which iniquity itself does not erase. For what thief will abide a thief? Not even a rich thief will abide someone who steals because of his poverty. Yet, I lusted to steal and did so, compelled by no hunger, nor by poverty, but from a contempt for justice and an excess of iniquity. For I stole something that I had enough of, and indeed more than enough. Nor did I care to enjoy what I stole but, rather, took joy in the theft and sin itself. Near our vineyard there was a pear tree laden with fruit, tempting neither in its color nor in its taste. Some of us lewd young men went, late one night (for in our pestilential custom we continued our playing of sports in the streets until that time of day), to shake and rob this tree. We took huge loads, not to eat them but instead to fling them to the hogs, having ourselves only tasted them. We did all this only in order to do something that we liked merely because it was disliked. Behold my heart, O God, behold my heart, which you had mercy upon in the lowest depths of the bottomless pit. Now, behold, let my heart tell you what it sought there, seeking to be gratuitously evil, tempted to commit this evil solely by the evil itself. It was foul, and I loved it. I loved to perish and loved my own fault, not that for which I was at fault but, rather, my fault itself. What a foul soul, falling from your firmament to utter destruction, not seeking anything through shame except shame itself!”
“Book 4 #9 This is what is loved in friends, indeed loved such that a man’s conscience condemns itself if he does not love him who loves him in return or does not love in return him who loves him, looking for nothing from this person other than indications of his love. Thus, we see the source of the mourning that follows upon the death of such a friend, with dark sorrows, the heart being soaked with tears and all sweetness turning to bitterness, and also the death of the living that follows upon the loss of life suffered by the dying. Blessed is he who loves you, and his friend in you, and his enemy for your sake. For he alone loses nobody who is dear to him, to whom all are dear in him who cannot be lost. And who is this but our God, the God that made heaven and earth (see Genesis 1:1) and fills them (see Jeremiah 23:24) because by filling them he created them? None lose you except those who depart from you. And he who departs from you, where does he go or where does he flee if not from you well-pleased to you displeased. For in the midst of his punishment where does he not encounter your law? And your law is truth, as you are (see Psalm 119:142; John 14:6).”
“Book 7 #8 Yet you, O Lord, abide forever (see Psalm 102:12), but you are not angry with us forever. For you take pity upon the dust and ashes from which we are made, and it was pleasing in your sight to reform my deformities. Inwardly prodding me, you roused me, so that I should be ill at ease, until you at last would be manifested to my inward sight. Thus, by your secret medicine my swelling abated, and the troubled and dimmed eyesight of mind was healed day by day by the bitter salve of healing sorrows.”
“Book 13 #1 I call upon you, O my God, my Mercy, who created me and does not forget me, though I forget you. I call you into my soul, which you prepare for yourself by the longing that you yourself inspire in it. Forsake me not now that I call upon you, who aided me before I even called and urged me onward with so great a variety of repeated callings, that I might hear you from afar, be converted, and call upon you who called out for me. For you, O Lord, blot out all that my evil has deserved, lest you repay into my hands, with which I fell from you, the recompense that would be justly owed to me. And you have been the source of all the goods that I deserve, so that you repay the work of your own hands, with which you made me. For before I was, you were. Nor was I anything, to which you might grant being. And yet, behold, I am, because of your goodness, which is the source that precedes all that you have made me to be, yes, because of that goodness from which you made me. For neither do you have any need of me, nor am I any sort of good that would be helpful for you, my Lord and God. I do not serve you as though you would tire out in your work without me or as though your power might be less if it lacked my service. Nor is it a question of cultivating your service like a land that would remain uncultivated without my labors cultivating you. Rather, I serve and worship you so that I might receive well-being from you, the very source of the fact that I have a being capable of well-being.”
I hope those few samples give you a feel for this translation. This is an excellent volume, and a great version of it. I have read at least 2 other translations while in school. And great to read or follow along with the pod cast. This book was a wonderful read. It challenged me personally and I know it will do the same for you. I am thankful for having read and to be slowly applying the lessons from this Saint and Doctor of the church. And I look forward to the other volumes from his pen. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next Catholic Classics from Ascension Press.
This book is part of a series of reviews: 2023 Catholic Reading Plan!
September 25, 2024
St. Augustine’s (very detailed) autobiography
I started off reading this, but then found a podcast that read the different sections and books like an audiobook, and then the hosts would discuss everything. I found that to be more beneficial than just reading it.
Some of the ideas and concepts from St. Augustine, definitely go over my head, but it was neat hearing his perspective and accounts for things in his life.
Link for the podcast from Catholic Classics 🔗: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
sincerely,
The Salty Biscuit
I started off reading this, but then found a podcast that read the different sections and books like an audiobook, and then the hosts would discuss everything. I found that to be more beneficial than just reading it.
Some of the ideas and concepts from St. Augustine, definitely go over my head, but it was neat hearing his perspective and accounts for things in his life.
Link for the podcast from Catholic Classics 🔗: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
sincerely,
The Salty Biscuit
December 23, 2023
Profound, deep, vulnerable and piercing. A difficult book to read through, but found it extremely helpful to read along with the Catholic Classics podcast! This is one I will come back to time and time again.
July 14, 2025
4 / 5 ⭐
After spending the last seven weeks dragging my tired eyes across the lengthy pages of "The Confessions of the St. Augustine", I am completely exhausted, but in a fulfilling sort of way.
Besides the Holy Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "The Confessions of St. Augustine" is probably the most thought-provoking and enlightening spiritual book I have ever read. However, it is without a doubt the most confusing and difficult to read book due to its archaic language and density.
One reason why I loved this book though is because St. Augustine masterfully reveals the depths of his heart, the intensity of his contrition for past sins, and his desire to encounter the living God.
The majority of this book FLEW over my heads, but the portions I could interpret, I adored.
If you are planning on reading this book, I would HIGHLY encourage you to set aside 30-60 minutes per day to listen to the corresponding podcast by Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk while you are reading. Their insight to the text is invaluable and greatly helps understanding the meaning behind St. Augustine's words.
Overall, a very enjoyable read, I just wish it wasn't so dense.
After spending the last seven weeks dragging my tired eyes across the lengthy pages of "The Confessions of the St. Augustine", I am completely exhausted, but in a fulfilling sort of way.
Besides the Holy Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "The Confessions of St. Augustine" is probably the most thought-provoking and enlightening spiritual book I have ever read. However, it is without a doubt the most confusing and difficult to read book due to its archaic language and density.
One reason why I loved this book though is because St. Augustine masterfully reveals the depths of his heart, the intensity of his contrition for past sins, and his desire to encounter the living God.
The majority of this book FLEW over my heads, but the portions I could interpret, I adored.
If you are planning on reading this book, I would HIGHLY encourage you to set aside 30-60 minutes per day to listen to the corresponding podcast by Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk while you are reading. Their insight to the text is invaluable and greatly helps understanding the meaning behind St. Augustine's words.
Overall, a very enjoyable read, I just wish it wasn't so dense.
March 22, 2025
This has taken me a long time to finish. I recall reading passages in college (30+ yrs ago..ahem)but not retaining much. I bought the Catholic Classics edition because it is written in modern English and then I also listened to it on Audible. He really does confess everything and go through his life thoroughly and chronological order. There are anecdotes about history,friends, and colleagues. He pays great homage to his mother for her unending prayers and sacrifices to bring about his conversion. Starting in book 10 he gets more philosophical in his musings with focus on time, memory/forgetfulness and deciphering God’s creation of the universe and his will for mankind and all the earthly creatures. He emphasizes God’s hand in everything, and all good in the world comes from God and without God there could be nothing. “Nor could times pass by before you made those very times. But if there were no time before heaven and earth, why do they ask what you then did? For when there was no time there was no ‘then.’” Book Eleven, part 13, page 321 of the Hardback edition.
40days 40books. Lent2025
40days 40books. Lent2025
July 21, 2024
Confessions by St. Augustine is a profoundly moving and deeply insightful work that radically altered my understanding of God's transformative power and mercy. Augustine's life, marked by intense struggles and moral failings, serves as a beacon of hope for anyone questioning, "Can I be saved?" His journey from a life of sin to one of holiness and profound intellectual achievement demonstrates that God's mercy knows no bounds.
The parts where Augustine discusses his ongoing temptations and struggles resonate deeply. His honesty about the lustful dreams that plagued him even after his conversion offers reassurance that even the greatest saints faced similar battles. This candidness provides comfort and hope, reminding us that our struggles are not unique and that God's grace is always available to help us overcome them.
One of the most powerful aspects of Confessions is the story of Augustine's mother, St. Monica, whose constant prayers were instrumental in his conversion. Her unwavering faith and persistent intercession are a testament to the power of prayer. This encourages us never to lose hope for our family members and to continue praying for their salvation, trusting in God's timing and mercy.
Augustine's life story is a perfect example of God's ability to transform even the most sinful and hopeless situations into testimonies of His grace and love. Despite his early life filled with immorality, Augustine's eventual conversion and his subsequent contributions to Christian thought and philosophy make him one of the greatest saints and intellectuals in history.
I highly recommend Confessions to anyone grappling with feelings of hopelessness or questioning their own salvation. Augustine's journey offers a powerful reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God's mercy, and his writings continue to inspire and guide us towards a deeper relationship with God.
The parts where Augustine discusses his ongoing temptations and struggles resonate deeply. His honesty about the lustful dreams that plagued him even after his conversion offers reassurance that even the greatest saints faced similar battles. This candidness provides comfort and hope, reminding us that our struggles are not unique and that God's grace is always available to help us overcome them.
One of the most powerful aspects of Confessions is the story of Augustine's mother, St. Monica, whose constant prayers were instrumental in his conversion. Her unwavering faith and persistent intercession are a testament to the power of prayer. This encourages us never to lose hope for our family members and to continue praying for their salvation, trusting in God's timing and mercy.
Augustine's life story is a perfect example of God's ability to transform even the most sinful and hopeless situations into testimonies of His grace and love. Despite his early life filled with immorality, Augustine's eventual conversion and his subsequent contributions to Christian thought and philosophy make him one of the greatest saints and intellectuals in history.
I highly recommend Confessions to anyone grappling with feelings of hopelessness or questioning their own salvation. Augustine's journey offers a powerful reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God's mercy, and his writings continue to inspire and guide us towards a deeper relationship with God.
April 25, 2024
st augustine eats occasionally but for the most part his long-winded and honestly kind of pedantic style comes off as insufferable and hard to read.
he sounds like a miserable guy, obsessed with how to be the perfect believer in god when he could be enjoying the gentle summer breeze and the kind rays of the sun on his skin. But no he chooses to sit here and write the first autobiography ever about how he has spent his whole life seeking perfection instead of wholeness.
he sounds like a miserable guy, obsessed with how to be the perfect believer in god when he could be enjoying the gentle summer breeze and the kind rays of the sun on his skin. But no he chooses to sit here and write the first autobiography ever about how he has spent his whole life seeking perfection instead of wholeness.
February 20, 2025
A spiritual classic and thus a 5 ⭐️ rating.
I am so grateful to God that this brilliant book exists for far greater intellectual minds than mine. I loved Books 1-9 and was rather confused by books 10-13. I’m hoping to one day re-read books 10-13 at a slower and more studious manner. Nonetheless, I am so thankful to have sat with St Augustine and learned more about his great conversion of faith.
I am so grateful to God that this brilliant book exists for far greater intellectual minds than mine. I loved Books 1-9 and was rather confused by books 10-13. I’m hoping to one day re-read books 10-13 at a slower and more studious manner. Nonetheless, I am so thankful to have sat with St Augustine and learned more about his great conversion of faith.
March 5, 2025
I was very grateful for the audio podcast that went along with this book. I’m not sure I would have gotten as much out of it or understood as much without Father Jacob and Father Gregory’s discussion after each section. Definitely was the way to go on this one for a non-philosopher trying to grasp the method of writing/thinking of St Augustine.
May 3, 2025
A very good read but above my intellectual comprehension. I found myself zoning out often. But I hope some drops of water from the wellspring of Augustine made it to me. I would definitely like to take this work into meditation in the future.
November 29, 2025
I read this along with the Ascension Press Podcast - I highly recommend both. I read another translation a year ago, but got a deeper understanding of the work after using the podcast with this new translation.
November 30, 2023
St. Augustine's thoughts are quite profound, and without the outstanding commentary by F. Gregory and Fr. Jacob Bertrand, much of it would have gone over my head.
December 5, 2023
Through telling his own story, St Augustine reveals his conversion to faith and expresses perspective that both explains and accepts our creator-God.
May 14, 2024
really good but I had higher expectations
January 2, 2025
Great book, as always, but also a wonderful translation
January 17, 2025
It's St. Augustine, of course it is wonderful!
April 16, 2025
I listened to the podcast version with commentary of this, and read another translation. I found the commentary helpful.
July 15, 2025
A very readable, modern translation of a timeless classic.
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November 19, 2025Re reading with the audio commentaries from Catholic classics by Ascension Presents
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