"Restless wanderers"

What’s in the image?

Our tour begins with this quotation from the first paragraph of St. Augustine's famous autobiographical Confesssions (1.1.1). This inscription is prominently displayed in the entrance to the Health Services Building, which is situated across from the main entrance to Villanova. The quotation gives an overview of Augustine's own restless search and the location of the quotation at the entrance to Villanova University also recognizes the restlessness with which one arrives at college in hopes of ultimately finding true contentment in life. The placement of these words in the Health Services Building, which houses the Student Health Center, Office of Health Promotion, and Counseling Center, also signals the efforts of the university to address some of the physical and mental symptoms of this restlessness. Thus, our tour starts at the busy and noisy main gate of Villanova but ends in the peace and beauty of the St. Thomas of Villanova Church, which in a small way symbolizes the journey from restlessness to a state of peace.

What’s in Confessions?

In Confessions, Augustine describes his restlessness and quest to attain a state of inner peace and tranquility. Augustine separates the search into three stages: a blind restlessness unaware of its source, a conscious restlessness, and a final return to peaceful restfulness. Augustine exhibits attributes of the first stage during his youth, for he feels and demonstrates restlessness yet cannot identify its source. Although he describes himself as "inwardly starved of that food which is yourself, O my God," he turns away from God's peace "in revulsion" (3.1.1). Through much reflection, Augustine recognizes that the absence of God in his life chains him to this seemingly interminable restlessness. He acknowledges his restlessness, lamenting, “I was walking a dark and slippery path, searching for you outside myself and failing to find the God of my own heart” (6.1.1). Augustine experiences the revelation of God’s grace when “the light of certainty flooded my heart and all dark shades of doubt fled away” (8.12.29). Finally, Augustine’s finds "rest in you from the hurly-bruly of the world" (9.3.5). He conquers his inner restlessness by receiving God’s grace. The theme of restlessness defines Augustine’s journey throughout Confessions, understood through his struggle to return to peaceful restfulness in which he ultimately achieves eternal salvation.

What’s in it for us?

Many college students experience restlessness, and they often arrive at Villanova hoping that the education they receive will provide adequate respite. Yet, the recognition of restlessness merely indicates the beginning of the process of transformation. Students must find the path to inner peace in and out of the classroom, a tumultuous process described by Augustine as, “Hurling my heart hither and thither” (6.11.20). The journey is filled with temptations and false idols. Augustine defined sin as placing the lower over the higher or valuing anything over God. Sin demonstrates restlessness as students attempt to prioritize correctly. The newly discovered freedom enjoyed by college students can lead to a particular indulgence in sin. Augustine himself struggled with this, claiming, “I withdrew further and further from you, loving my own ways and not yours, relishing in the freedom of a runaway slave” (3.3.5). The journey and temptations of restlessness detailed by Augustine capture the essence of human nature and remain relevant to all today, especially college students. Augustine’s ultimate rest inspires hope and gives guidance to the restless.