Confessions by Augustine — BOOK IX: Cassiciacum: to Monica’s death

1. 1. Augustine describes his conversion as a moment when it suddenly became sweet to be without the sweets of folly, and he submitted to Christ's easy yoke.
2. 2. Augustine decided to quietly retire from his rhetoric teaching position rather than abruptly resign, to avoid appearing ostentatious.
3. 3. Augustine's friend Verecundus, though not yet a Christian, generously hosted him at Cassiciacum, and later became a baptized Christian before his death.
4. 4. Augustine's friend Nebridius, a former Manichee, converted to Catholicism and lived in perfect chastity, leading his entire household to Christ before his death.
5. 5. Augustine wept with joy reading the Psalms at Cassiciacum, feeling vehement anger against the Manichees and pity for their ignorance of the sacraments.
6. 6. Augustine's toothache was miraculously cured when his friends prayed for him, which he took as a sign of God's will.
7. 7. Augustine was baptized by Ambrose at Milan in 387, along with his son Adeodatus and his friend Alypius.
8. 8. The Church of Milan began singing hymns and psalms in the eastern manner to prevent depression during the Arian persecution under Empress Justina.
9. 9. The discovery of the martyrs Protasius and Gervasius, revealed to Ambrose in a vision, led to miraculous healings and checked Justina's fury.
10. 10. Augustine's mother Monica, through her gentle and patient conduct, won over her husband Patrick and her mother-in-law, and was a peacemaker in her community.
11. 11. During a conversation at Ostia, Augustine and Monica experienced a mystical ascent toward eternal wisdom, touching it briefly before returning to ordinary speech.
12. 12. Monica died at Ostia at age 56, nine days after falling ill, and was buried there, having asked only to be remembered at the altar of the Lord.