1 of 2 Sisters of Charity of Saint Augustine memorials at the cemeteryAugustine *354, 430† is shown, wearing a mitre (bishop's hat), with a Bible in one hand here, and a flaming and pierced heart in the other. Often he is holding just a flaming heart. The heart is burning with love of God (and man), and has been pierced with pain (or ecstasy).
One statement of his is equivalent to "it's over when the fat lady sings". Roma Locuta Est, Causa Finita Est. (Rome has spoken. The cause [or dispute] is finished.)
Thou hadst pierced our heart with thy love, and we carried thy words, as it were, thrust through our vitals. The examples of thy servants whom thou hadst changed from black to shining white, and from death to life, crowded into the bosom of our thoughts and burned and consumed our sluggish temper, that we might not topple back into the abyss. And they fired us exceedingly, so that every breath of the deceitful tongue of our detractors might fan the flame and not blow it out. — Confessions, Book IX, ch. ii, paragraph 3If one were to take courses in mediæval history, civilisation, philosophy or theology it would be impossible to have one of any depth, or comprehensiveness without reading Augustine. There is a Spanish saying, that there is not a good homily/sermon without a quotation from San Agostino.
One statement of his is equivalent to "it's over when the fat lady sings". Roma Locuta Est, Causa Finita Est. (Rome has spoken. The cause [or dispute] is finished.)
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