Today is the feast of an Italian Benedictine monk who is known as the “Apostle to the English”.
Christianity had a rough time taking root in the British Isles. There were early missionary efforts going all the way back to the late 1st century. But, due to the Roman persecution of the Church, and the predominance of Paganism, Christianity failed to spread in England.
In the year 596, some 40 monks were sent by Pope Saint Gregory the Great from Rome to evangelize the Anglo-Saxons in England. Leading the group was Augustine.
As they were about to set sail, Augustine and his band of monks heard stories of the ferocious Anglo-Saxons and the treacherous waters of the English Channel. Augustine promptly made a “u-turn” back to Rome, where Pope Gregory the Great assured him of the importance of this mission.
Arriving in England, they constructed a church and monastery at Canterbury, on the site where the present and famous Canterbury Cathedral now stands. Augustine was consecrated its first Bishop, and by 597, thousands of people were coming to actively seek baptism.
Most of us do not receive letters from the Pope telling us to go evangelize particular nations and regions, but all of us have received the commission of our Lord to go and make disciples of all nations. All of the baptized have the vocation of laboring for the spread of the Gospel.
We also live in a culture much like that which Augustine found upon his arrival to England: vestiges of the Christian faith mingled with pagan elements.
In a letter to Augustine, Pope Gregory the Great wrote: "He who would climb to a lofty height must go by steps, not leaps."
The task of evangelization might seem like a lofty mountain, and there will often be that temptation to return home out of fear with our task incomplete, but we can make great inroads through small steps: conversations with non-Catholics, small acts of charity towards strangers, imitating Christ in our attitudes and decisions.
Through the prayerful intercession and holy example of St. Augustine of Canterbury may we be faithful to all the Lord calls us to this day for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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With confidence in the God who desires the salvation of all people, let us bring our prayers before the Lord.
For the Church throughout the world, that she may continue to carry out the Great Commission with courage and fidelity, proclaiming Christ to every people and nation, we pray to the Lord.
For bishops, priests, deacons, and all who labor in the vineyard of the Lord, that they may be strengthened by the Holy Spirit to evangelize with wisdom, patience, and love, we pray to the Lord.
For the conversion of hearts hardened or closed to the Gospel, that through the Church’s evangelizing efforts, Christ may transform hearts.
For the needs of the sick, ill, poor and afflicted, may they know the help of God’s grace and the kindness and care of the Church in their trials.
For the faithful departed, especially those who labored for the Gospel in this life, that they may rejoice forever in the presence of the Lord
God our Father, hear our prayers, and grant us the courage to bring Christ to the world and the perseverance to follow your call in all things.
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