Click on the side links for an introduction to the life of St. Augustine illustrated by Augustinian imagery on the campus of Villanova University.

Introduction: Villanova University, founded in the Augustinian tradition, strives to provide its students with an education through which they discover who to be, not what to be. That experience is anchored in the freshman Augustine and Culture Seminar (ACS). In ACS, students study theology, philosophy, society, and the intellectual culture of Villanova. All classes read St. Augustine’s spiritual autobiography, Confessions, which details his struggle to reject shallow materialism and live a life directed towards the good. Many Villanova students eventually discover ways that Augustine’s journey mirrors their own.

Just as Augustine’s life and words inform the Villanova education, images symbolic of his legacy permeate the campus. However, most students rarely contemplate the significance of those images to their lives. In fall 2010, the students in two ACS classes taught by John Immerwahr created this virtual tour of twelve Augustinian images around the campus.  Working in small groups, the students sought to bring each of these images to life.  First they discuss the image itself, sharing some of the things they see in it.  Then they show how the image is rooted in the text of Augustine’s Confessions.  Finally they endeavor to explore the relevance of the image to their own lives as college freshmen.  Their goal was to share their Augustinian experience with the greater student community and with all of those who wish to experience themes from Augustine’s life.

As part of our work as seniors in the Villanova Honors program, we had the privilege of working with these talented students as teaching interns in their classes, consultants for their written projects, and editors of this website. We invite you to explore these pages and we hope they will serve as a resource for you to reflect on Augustine’s lessons for your own life. This website has now been incorporated into the official Villanova University website, and may also be found on the Resources for Restless Hearts page.

 Julia Kallmes, ‘11
Michael Rogers, ‘11

All quotations from St. Augustine’s Confessions are taken from the translation by Maria Boulding (Hyde Park:New City Press, 1997).  If you enjoy this website, you may also want to visit a similar virtual tour of the famous frescoes of the life of St. Augustine in the Church of  St. Augustine in San Gimignano, Italy.  The San Gimignano website was produced by another group of ACS students in the fall of 2009. Please send us your comments and reactions.

Villanova University
February, 2011