He is the patron of brewers because of his conversion from former life of loose living, which included parties, entertainment, and worldly ambitions.
His complete turnaround and conversion has been an inspiration to many who struggle with a particular vice or habit they long to break.
He was born in Africa and spent his life in wicked living in false beliefs.
Though he was one of the most intelligent men who ever lived and though he had been brought up a Christian, his sins of impurity and pride darkened his mind so much, that he could not see or understand the Divine Truth anymore.
Through the prayers of his mother, St Monica and the preacher St Ambrose, he finally became convinced that Christianity was the one true religion.
Yet, he didn't become a Christian the, because he thought he could never live a pure life.
One day, he heard about two men who had suddenly been converted on reading the life of St Anthony, he felt terrible ashamed of himself.
"What are we doing ?" "Unlearned people are taking Heaven by force, while we, will all our knowledge, are so cowardly that keep rolling around in the mud of our sins !"
Full of bitter sorrow, he flung himself out into garden and cried out to God, "How long more, O Lord? Why does this hour put an end to my sins ?"
Just then, he heard a child singing "Take up and read!" Thinking that God intended him to hear those words, he picked up the book of the Letters of St. Paul and read the first passage his gaze fell on.
It was just what Augustine needed, for in it, St Paul says to put away all impurity and to live in imitation of Jesus.
That did it ! From then on, he began a new life.
He was babtized, became a priest, a bishop and a famous Catholic writer.
On the wall of his room, he had the following sentence written in large letters :
" HERE WE DO NOT SPEAK EVIL OF ANYONE "
He overcame strong heresies, practiced great poverty and supported the poor, preached very often and prayer with great fervor right up until his death.
" Too late have I loved You ! " he once cried to God, but with his holy life he certainly made up for the sins he committed before his conversion.
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