The Basilica and former Convent of St. Augustine 

 

 

 

The former Convent of St. Augustine and the Basilica of St. Augustine hold a prominent place in the life and history of the Augustinian Order. For centuries, it was the General House of the Friars, the place where the Prior General and his Council lived (presently, the Prior General lives at Santa Monica, directory across the street from St. Peter's Square).

An examination of the diagram indicates the extent of the original complex. The main entrance to the convento was on Via dei Portoghesi (The Street of the Portuguese) and the Basilica and Convent together occupied an entire block. Most of the convento was confiscated during the time of Napoleon and today, is owned by the civil government. The Italian Augustinian friars, who provide religious services for the Basilica, live in only a small part of the building; government offices afe located in the major portion. La Biblioteca Angelica originated towards the end of the sixteenth century. It was the Augustinian Library in the Convent when the friars owned and occupied the entire complex. Currently, it is under the care of Italy's National Library service.  In this Basilica, the bones or St. Monica are kept and revered. They are in located in a special area to the left or the sanctuary in a small, beautifully decorated chapel.

The following offers a brief reflection on St. Augustine's mother, prompted by the chapel in her honor located in St. Augustine's. Taken from the Confessions, it recounts Augustine's realization that he had lied to his mother, Monica, regarding his imminent departure from Carthage to Rome when he was twenty-nine years of age.

"You knew all along, O God, the real reason why I left to seek a different country, but you did not reveal it either to me or to my mother, who bitterly bewailed my departure and followed me to the seashore. She held on to me with all her strength, attempting either to take me back home with her or to come with me, but I deceived her, pretending that I did not want to take leave of a friend until a favorable wind should arise and enable him to set sail. I lied to mv mother, mv incomparable mother! But I went free, because in your mercy you forgave me.

Full of detestable filth as I was, you kept me sale from the waters of the sea to bring me to the waters of your grace; once I was washed in that, the river of tears that flowed from my mother 's eyes would be dried up, those tears with which day by day she bedewed the ground wherever she prayed to you for me. (Book V, 15 )

Augustine goes continues to write about his mother, describing her prayer in the chapel or St. Cyprian in Carthage where she prayed for him that night. Monica is most remembered as a woman of incredible faith and perseverante in prayer. Since Sant'Agostino was the General House of the Order for many centuries, it wa fitting that the body of Monica was brought here under the care of the friars.

Recently, for the celebration of the Jubilee year of 2000, the chapel was restored and cleaned. There are several beautiful pieces of art work in this chapel which enshrines her tombe The art work in the ceiling is particularly beautiful.