Agostinho, Pastor e Pregador

Abstract

This dissertation intends to approach Augustine in his most persistent, all but daily activity: preaching. The pastor of Hippona, throughout his life as both priest and bishop, was and remains a model preacher. Within this dissertation, I propose to verify why and how, while focusing on the reading of his "Sermons to the People".Based on a more attentive reading of a selection of Augustine's sermons and other texts, I develop this work over three chapters. In the first, I cover the life of the Saint of Hippona, highlighting the process of his conversion and main confrontations with Pelagians, Manichaeans, and Donatism. In addition, I speak of his pastoral action in the local, African, and universal Church, specifically in role of bishop or pastor. Chapter 1 concludes with a discussion of the place of the Sacred Scripture as Augustine assumed and perceived his episcopal duties. The second chapter focuses on sermons as such, where the Sacred Scripture occupies a central place, particularly in the context of the liturgy. Here, I pay special attention to the wise counsels proposed to pastors in their preaching tasks, beginning with Augustine’s work De doctrina christiana, with the intention of teaching, convincing, and converting. Finally, the third chapter discusses Augustine as a model pastor, focusing on his pastoral actions in day-to-day life, his preaching activities, in the liturgy, and in caring for the needy.

Date of Award	9 Dec 2022
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Isidro Lamelas (Supervisor)