RELIQUARY, RELIC OF SAINT AUGUSTINE

Rare oval reliquary surrounded by a decoration of cut golden paper, glazed at the front. The interior, lined with a red silk background, presents a relic set in a rectangular cartouche, accompanied by two handwritten inscriptions:

• B. Augustini .NC → Beati Augustini, non corporis : relic of Blessed Augustine, of non-bodily nature.

• Velli or eris .A → velli aurei / eris auratae : fragments of fabric or golden threads associated with the cult of Saint Augustine (contact relics, coming from a liturgical garment).

Good condition with original glass.

Not opened.

Ecclesiastical seal and silk threads present.

PERIOD : 18th century
DIMENSION : 3.5 cm X 3 cm
SIZE : 1.4" X 1.2"

Saint Augustine of Hippo (354–430) is one of the greatest Fathers and Doctors of the Church. Born in Thagaste, North Africa, he first led a restless youth before converting to Christianity, guided by the prayers of his mother, Saint Monica, and the preaching of Saint Ambrose. Baptized in 387, he became a priest and then bishop of Hippo, where he exercised immense pastoral and intellectual influence. His monumental work, including the Confessions and The City of God, marks Christian and Western thought up to this day. Defender of the faith against the heresies of his time, he was a spiritual master and a profound theologian of grace. He died in 430 during the siege of Hippo, and is venerated as a saint by the entire Church. His feast is celebrated on August 28.