As we gather in the presence of the Lord, we celebrate the Optional Memorial of Saint Augustine of Canterbury, a man whose life exemplifies faithfulness, humility, and perseverance in mission. We must not mistaken him with Saint Augustine of Hippo who lived over two-hundred years prior. Rather, this “… St. Augustine was born in Rome and died in Canterbury, England, in 604. When Pope Gregory I heard that the pagans of Britain were disposed to accept the Catholic Faith, he sent the prior of St. Andrew, Augustine, and forty of his Benedictine brethren to England. Despite the great difficulties involved in the task assigned to him, Augustine and his monks obeyed. The success of their preaching was immediate. King Ethelbert was baptized on Pentecost Sunday, 596, and the greater part of the nobles and people soon followed his example.” (1) Augustine became the first Archbishop of Canterbury and is rightly called the Apostle to the English. His mission was challenging—facing cultural differences, pagan resistance, and many hardships—but through unwavering trust in God's guidance and the power of the Holy Spirit, he laid the foundation for Christianity in England. His life reminds us that with God's grace, even the most daunting obstacles can be overcome when we respond generously to His call.
Today’s Gospel from John offers us words of hope and reassurance. Jesus speaks of the coming of the Advocate—the Holy Spirit—who will guide us into all truth, convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure, promising that the Spirit will be with them always, empowering them to carry on His mission. Just as the Spirit guided Augustine and the early church, the Spirit continues to be our guide today.
In our first reading from Acts, we see Paul and Silas in prison—beaten, chained, and unjustly imprisoned. Yet, instead of despair, they pray and sing hymns to God. Imagine that. Imagine the presence of God in that prison. Their trust in God's power results in an earthquake so mighty that the prison doors fly open and the chains fall away. The jailer, trembling and fearful, asks, “What must I do to be saved?” Paul and Silas point him to Jesus. That night, he and his household are baptized, and they rejoice in their newfound faith.
Saint Augustine’s mission echoes this story. He was called to bring the Gospel to a land that did not yet know Christ. His perseverance in the face of obstacles and his reliance on the Holy Spirit transformed lives and established the Church in England.
Today, I invite each of us to reflect on how we are responding to Christ’s call. Are we open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit? Are we willing to share the Gospel with courage and humility? Remember, it was not through strength alone that Augustine succeeded, but through reliance on God’s grace, prayer, and perseverance.
Let us also take heart in the knowledge that our efforts are part of a divine plan. Just as Augustine helped bring Christ’s light to England, so too can our words and actions bring hope and salvation to those around us. We might not see the immediate fruits of our labours, but God does. Many times, people have come to me, years after a homily remembering one word or phrase or spiritual recommendation that I had made, yet which I myself do not remember speaking. Such is the life of a priest. We do so much of it, preaching it is, that sometimes we forget what we ourselves had said… but God used it nevertheless to help someone on their faith journey.
In closing, may the Holy Spirit strengthen us in our efforts, and may we always turn to God in prayer, confident that—after we have experienced him and his love for us, he will give us the graces we need to be able to bring that goodness to others. Let us go forth, like Augustine and the saints, boldly proclaiming the Gospel, knowing that the Lord’s grace is sufficient for us, and that He is with us always. Our Lady, Queen of Apostles, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Amen.
(1) https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2020-05-27
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