Saint
Augustine of Canterbury
Born: 6th Century
Died: 605
Feast Day: 26th May (27th May in some
calendars)
Shrine: Canterbury
Symbols in Art: Well, Baptising a King
Although the Celtic edges of England were Christian in 6th
century, most of Southern England remained pagan. Saint Gregory the Great sent 40 monks over to
England from Rome to convert the Anglo-Saxons.
These were led by Saint Augustine.
Only having got as far as Gaul they hear about the violent reputation of
the Anglo-Saxons and the treacherous water in the English Channel so returned
to Saint Gregory. Having be reassured
that their fears were unfounded, they returned once again. They were so successful in Kent as soon as
they arrived that King Saint Ethelbert was baptised; his wife Bertha was
already a Christian. Augustine set up a monastery
and Church in Canterbury as his base where he became Archbishop.
With the faith spreading sees were also set up in Rochester and London. Work was sometimes slow, and Augustine
sometimes failed. However, Augustine can
be called the “Apostle of England”. Just
after a year of their arrival 10,000 people were baptised.
Not much is known about Augustine’s early life although it is likely he
was born in Rome to a noble family. He
joined a monastery at an early age. The
monastery had been established by Gregory who became Pope and eventually Saint
Gregory the Great. Augustine died in 604.
References: Saints, Robbie Blake HarperCollins
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