St. Augustine

Artist: Philippe de Champaigne – c. 1645

Reading Saint Augustine’s Confessions is a moving experience.   Regardless of one’s religious beliefs, Augustine captures in words the longings of the human heart.  In this artwork by Philippe de Champaign’s painting of the saint, Augustine holds a flaming heart, symbol of his ardent desire to unlock the mysteries of knowledge and wisdom.  Augustine steps on overturned books, holds a quill in one hand, and gazes toward a vision of the word “veritas,” or truth.  

His feast day is August 28.