Augustine Day by Day: Preface

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Preface to Augustine Day by Day

John E. Rotelle, O.S.A.

About five years ago I conceived this brilliant idea of preparing a little book of quotes from Saint Augustine for each day of the year. Saint Augustine has much to say to modern society, so I think that pertinent quotes from his writings--especially from his sermons to the people, in which he is so practical and insightful--would benefit many people and help them grow in the way of the Lord.

Over a period of time I gathered these quotes and assigned them to various days of the year, keeping in mind the liturgical seasons.

I completed the manuscript and was putting the finishing touches to it when a confrere of mine, Father John E. Bresnahan, O.S.A., librarian of the Augustinian College, Washington, DC, who knew my interest in Augustine, gave me two little books, thinking that I might be interested in them. He did not know at that time of my project of quotes of Augustine for each day of the year.

The books were entitled Annus Mystico-Augustinianus by N. Petrelli, O.S.A., published in 1932. The author, with different selections, did exactly what I had contemplated--a calendar of passages from Augustine for each day of the year. A couple of months later the same Father Bresnahan brought to my attention another book in two volumes of passages from Augustine for each day, Divus Augustinus by Felice Mayr, O.S.A. published in 1895.

This convinced me that what my father used to say to me was true: "There is nothing new under the sun." Everything is recycled or repackaged.

Both of these publications are different from my own. Not only are the quotes different, but also the basic thrust in both is diverse and the passages are much longer. Perhaps because of the times in which they wrote, the authors emphasize passages that deal with human sinfulness.

What I am trying to do is to present maxims or thoughts from Augustine that apply to present-day situations. Each thought is followed by a prayer. For each day of the year there is a different passage; there are no repetitions. The prayers, however, are repeated from time to time. Since this book is practical in nature, I took the liberty of omitting incidental phrases from the quotes to make the thoughts coherent.

It is my hope that this selection of quotes will encourage people to read Augustine daily, appreciate the timeliness of his thought, experience his perennial youth, and grow from the wisdom of this great man of God. The quotes are brief; the prayers are to the point. Just a few moments of thought each day will lead to immeasurable spiritual benefit for the reader.

The compilation of this book was a work of love for me and convinced me more and more of the beauty and wisdom of Augustine's thought. May all who read it experience the same.

I thank all those who have helped me in any way with this book.