Not to be confused with St. Augustine of Hippo, St. Augustine of Canterbury was a Benedictine Monk in the sixth century, who was named the first Archbishop of Canterbury in the year 597, and is considered a founding father of the Catholic Church in England.
Probably of aristocratic birth, Augustine was prior of the Benedictine monastery of St. Andrew, Rome, when Pope St. Gregory I the Great chose him to lead an unprecedented mission of about 40 monks to England, which was then largely pagan.
Prayer to St. Augustine of Canterbury
God our Father,
by the preaching of Saint Augustine of Canterbury,
you led the people of England to the Gospel.
May the fruits of his work continue in your Church.
Grant that through his intercession,
the hearts of those who err may return to the unity of your truth
and that we may be of one mind in doing your will.
Dear Saint Augustine,
we are honoured to have you as our Patron Saint.
Help us as a parish to work in a spirit of trust and love,
as well as a spirit of prudence and understanding,
so that we may grow as God’s faithful.
May harmony reign ever among us.
Because of your example in living the Gospel,
we dedicate ourselves, our families and our parish community,
through your intercession to live that same Gospel.
Implore on our behalf the favour of an ever-deepening
trust in God’s goodness and love.
Obtain God’s grace for us
that we may grow in faith, hope, love and all virtues.
Grant that by imitating you
we may imitate our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.
Watch over us and help us to reach that place
where you live with all the saints for ever and ever.
AMEN
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