Page 26 - FOUNDATIONS FOR LIFE; EXPLORING GOD’S UNIVERSE

’Love the sinner, hate the sin!’ St Augustine

Read the passage then answer the questions.

Augustine was born in North Africa to a Christian mother and a pagan father. He was a
brilliant pupil so was sent to Carthage University. He set out for England in 596 AD to share

the gospel but was sent back by the English barbarians. He and his men tried again and
reached Kent. Much to their surprise, King Ethelbert, whose wife Queen Bertha was a
Christian and had been praying for missionaries to come to England, met them.

Augustine and his monks marched in procession to Canterbury holding a banner bearing a

picture of the crucified Christ. The historian, Bede,
describes how they ‘drew near the city, after their manner. With the holy cross and the
image of our sovereign Lord and King, Jesus Christ, they, in concert, sang this litany: “We
beseech thee, O Lord, in all thy mercy, that thy anger and wrath be turned away from this

city and from thy house, because we have sinned. Hallelujah.”’

The monks began to meet in the church where Queen Bertha had prayed daily. Huge
numbers came to hear the Word of God. Thousands were baptised by Augustine who had to
send to Rome for more helpers.

Augustine became bishop and was given land to build a church, monastery and palace in
Canterbury. He travelled to different parts of Britain to share the gospel and left a
flourishing church even though Britain was still a primarily pagan country.

1. Why did Augustine turn back when he first visited England?

______________________________________________________

2. Whose prayers were answered when Augustine came to Britain?

______________________________________________________

3. How did they arrive in Canterbury? ________________________

______________________________________________________

(Pioneers Past and Present) 24