St. Augustine Archives

St. Carlo Acutis

About St. Carlo Acutis

St. Carlo Acutis (1991-2006) was an Italian teenager who became known as the “Cyber Saint” and “God’s Influencer” for his pioneering use of technology to spread Catholic faith. Born in London to Italian parents and raised in Milan, Carlo displayed extraordinary devotion to the Eucharist from an early age, attending daily Mass whenever possible and spending time in Eucharistic Adoration.

Gifted with computers and web design, Carlo used his technical skills to evangelize online when the internet was still emerging. His most famous project was creating a website cataloguing Eucharistic miracles from around the world, which he researched meticulously and presented with compelling visuals. He believed the Eucharist was his “highway to heaven” and wanted to help others discover this same love.

Despite his young age, Carlo lived with remarkable spiritual maturity, practicing penance, praying the Rosary daily, and showing special concern for the poor and marginalized. He was known for his joyful personality, love of soccer and video games, and normal teenage interests, proving that holiness and contemporary life could beautifully coexist.

Carlo died of acute leukemia in 2006 at just 15 years old, offering his sufferings for the Pope and the Church. His body remains incorrupt and is venerated in Assisi. He was canonized by Pope Leo XIV on September 7, 2025, making him the first millennial to be made a saint.

Prayers & Devotions

Intercession of the Saints

St. Augustine

About St. Augustine

St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430) was one of the most influential theologians and philosophers in Christian history, whose writings profoundly shaped both Catholic and Protestant thought. Born Aurelius Augustinus in Roman North Africa (present-day Algeria), he lived a worldly life in his youth, fathering a son and following various philosophical schools while his devout mother, St. Monica, prayed fervently for his conversion.

After years of intellectual searching through Manichaeism and Neo-Platonism, Augustine experienced a dramatic conversion in 386 while reading St. Paul’s letters in a Milan garden. He famously heard a child’s voice saying “Take up and read,” leading him to embrace Christianity fully. He was baptized by St. Ambrose of Milan the following year.

Returning to North Africa, Augustine became Bishop of Hippo in 395, where he served for 35 years. He was a prolific writer, producing over 100 works including his autobiographical “Confessions” and the monumental “City of God.” His theological insights on grace, original sin, predestination, and the nature of time became foundational to Christian doctrine.
Augustine defended orthodoxy against major heresies of his day, particularly Donatism and Pelagianism. His famous prayer “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you” captures his understanding of the human longing for God.

He died in 430 as the Vandals besieged Hippo. Declared a Doctor of the Church, his feast day is August 28. He remains the patron saint of brewers, printers, and theologians, and his Rule continues to guide Augustinian religious communities worldwide.

Prayers & Devotions

Intercession of the Saints

St. Augustine’s Evening Prayer

St. Augustine’s Evening Prayer is a beautiful prayer composed by St. Augustine asking God to be present during the night hours, in particularly those who are awake (perhaps from insomnia or by choice), those who are “watching” (keeping vigil – whether in prayer, caring for the sick, or standing guard), and those who are weeping or in distress.

In Christian tradition, “watching” or “keeping watch” carries profound spiritual significance, echoing Jesus’s instruction to his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane to “watch and pray” (Matthew 26:41). This concept of watchfulness represents spiritual alertness, readiness in faith, and attentiveness to God’s presence and will.

Video — St. Augustine’s Evening Prayer

Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch or weep tonight, and give Your angels and saints charge over those who sleep. Tend Your sick ones, O Loving Lord; rest Your weary ones; bless Your dying ones; soothe Your suffering ones; pity Your afflicted ones; shield Your joyous ones. And all for Your love’s sake. Amen.

Per St. Augustine: “Love God, and Do Whatever You Please.”

St. Augustine’s bold statement, “Love God, and do whatever you please,” may seem like a license for recklessness, but a closer look reveals a life-changing perspective on the nature of love and desire.

listen as you read

St. Augustine, one of the most influential theologians in the history of the Church, left us with a profound and often misunderstood quote: “Love God, and do whatever you please.”

At first glance, this statement might seem to promote a life of self-indulgence and disregard for God’s commandments. However, when we delve deeper into the context and true meaning behind St. Augustine’s words, we discover a profound truth about the nature of love and our relationship with God.

St. Augustine understood that true love for God transforms our desires and aligns them with His will. When we genuinely “love God with all our heart, soul, and mind” (Matthew 22:37), our actions naturally flow from that love. We begin to desire what God desires for us, and our will becomes conformed to His.

In this light, “do whatever you please” does not mean following our sinful inclinations or disregarding moral principles. Instead, it suggests that when our love for God is authentic and all-consuming, our “pleasure” will be to do what pleases Him. Our deepest joy will be found in living according to His commandments and seeking His will in all things.

St. Augustine’s own life serves as a testament to this truth. Before his conversion, he pursued worldly pleasures and ambitions, yet he found himself restless and unfulfilled.

In his famous work, “Confessions“, he wrote, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” It was only when he surrendered his life to God and allowed divine love to transform him that he discovered true peace and purpose.

As Catholics, we are called to cultivate this transformative love for God. Through prayer, the sacraments, and a deep relationship with Christ, we allow His love to shape our desires and guide our actions. When we love God above all else, we find freedom not in doing whatever we want, but in wanting what God wants for us.

Reflecting on St. Augustine’s words with renewed understanding, we should strive to love God so completely that our greatest pleasure is found in pleasing Him.

As we grow in love, our lives will bear witness to the joy and freedom that comes from aligning our will with God’s perfect plan. Let us embrace this profound truth and allow it to transform our hearts, drawing us ever closer to the God who loves us beyond measure.