Welcome to Earthpages.org—where we cut through the noise and explore ideas beyond the headlines. Today’s episode takes us back in time, to the life and legacy of one of Christianity’s most influential thinkers. A man whose spiritual journey continues to inspire seekers of truth, faith, and meaning.
Let’s talk about St. Augustine—and a humble but heartfelt documentary that reminded me why he still matters.
The other day, I was walking past St. Anselm’s Catholic Parish here in Toronto. There’s a statue of the saint out front and a golden cross by the door. A peaceful scene—and it got me thinking.
Who exactly was Anselm?
Sure, I’ve studied all this before. But as you get older and your focus shifts, the lines can blur a little. Then it came back to me: St. Augustine, St. Anselm, and St. Thomas Aquinas—the Big Three of Catholic theology.
I caught myself wondering—who was the brightest? The most important?
But that’s not really fair. These guys lived in different centuries, worked with different tools, and drew from different sources. Expecting Augustine to build on Aquinas would be like blaming Newton for not knowing quantum physics.
Context matters. Great minds emerge from their time—and transcend it in different ways.
Still, if you ask most people today, they’d probably say Aquinas was the “biggest big shot.” But not everyone would agree.
Right around this time— as if on cue—I stumbled upon a gentle, pastoral documentary about St. Augustine. I was bored with everything else and, honestly, in need of a little spiritual nourishment.
So today I’m sharing my thoughts on that. The video may not be a historical masterpiece, but it did help me get back on track with my Christian faith.
The film is called Augustine: A Voice for All Generations. It came out in 2013 and is narrated by Catholic author and journalist Mike Aquilina. Directed by Robert Fernandez, it’s a warm, reverent introduction to Augustine of Hippo—a man whose ideas still shape Christian thought, ethics, and theology.
The documentary walks us through Augustine’s life: His early dabbling in Manichaeism, his love of philosophy and rhetoric, the influence of his devout mother Monica, and finally, his conversion and rise to become Bishop of Hippo.
One thing the film does well is highlight Augustine’s inner conflict—that tug-of-war between sensual desire, lawless behavior, and spiritual longing. It shows how this struggle deeply influenced his teachings on sin, grace, free will, and divine mercy.
In one segment, the young Augustine steals some pears—not because he’s hungry, but simply for the thrill of wrongdoing. It’s straight out of his Confessions, and the film captures it well. That small act sets the stage for a deeper moral reckoning unfolding over the years.
The film also touches on more difficult emotional territory—like Augustine’s painful decision to part ways with his longtime companion, the mother of his son, so he could pursue a more “socially acceptable” marriage. While framed as part of God’s plan, you can still feel the heartbreak beneath the surface.
Another powerful moment is Augustine’s conversion scene—that turning point in the garden where he hears the childlike voice urging him to “take and read.” It’s a moving portrayal of his spiritual anguish and eventual surrender. The scene has real emotional weight without feeling overdone.
Now, let’s be clear—this is a Catholic production, with a clearly devotional tone. Aquilina’s narration is earnest and grounded in Church tradition. And while that makes the material accessible—even for families or newcomers to Augustine—it does sometimes feel a bit… simplified.
If you’re looking for a deep philosophical dive or Augustine's theological and pastoral response to Church corruption, you won’t find too much here. But then again, that’s not what this film is trying to be.
It’s not a purely academic documentary or a charged reaction to an unhappy childhood of forced churchgoing. It’s an inspirational story. And in that sense, it works.
The visuals are simple yet engaging. The message is clear. And the themes—longing, redemption, the search for truth—still resonate.
So does the film live up to its title?
I’d say yes. Augustine: A Voice for All Generations offers a sincere and uplifting portrait of a man whose voice still echoes across the centuries, inviting us—each in our own way—to wrestle with life’s deeper questions.
Thanks for listening. Until next time—stay tuned, and keep on reaching for the highest you can possibly discover.
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