In the St. Thomas of Villanova Church, there are a number of stained glass windows depicting the significant events in St. Augustine’s life. The tolle lege window depicts the moment of Augustine’s conversion and the end of the tumultuous life and difficult path that led to it. As he describes the scene in Confessions, he was sitting in the garden, under a tree, weeping from his discontent; all of this work he had undergone—over 30 years of searching and studying—and still he could not break the bonds of his own lust. It was then that he heard a child singing, “pick it up and read, pick it up and read” (8.12.29). He opened the nearest book, a book of apostles’ letters, and read the first passage that struck his eyes: “...not in orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and licentiousness, not in rivalry and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh” (Romans 13:13). This passage freed him instantly. It spoke volumes to the exact lifestyle he had been struggling to rid himself of, and gave specific instructions to overcome it. The window contains all of the elements of the story, and shows the words "tolle lege" above Augustine’s head as he sits in the garden with the book of Romans at his feet. As depicted in the window, there are two spirits on either side of Augustine, on the left it shows the evil spirit of Augustine’s past life being swept away.  His new, Holy Spirit remains at his side on the right. This piece of art is displayed for all to see in the St. Thomas of Villanova Church, where it will perhaps inspire more people to find meaning in God as Augustine did.

Tolle Lege in Confessions

There is a three stage process to St. Augustine's eventual conversion. Each of these stages are marked by three separate and important books that prepare Augustine for his conversion.

The first stage of St. Augustine’s conversion is when he reads Cicero’s Hortensius. “The book,” he exalts, “changed my way of feeling and the character of my prayers to you, O Lord, for under its influence my petitions and desires altered” (Confessions 3.4.7).  Augustine finally realizes his flawed lifestyle; he reasons, “[my] hollow hopes suddenly seemed worthless” in comparison to the “immortality wisdom seemed to promise” (3.4.7).  His discovery of Hortensius allows him to begin to change his lifestyle.  With the desire to find truth and wisdom, Augustine begins “to rise up, in order to return to you [God]” (3.4.7).

The second stage of St. Augustine’s conversion continues with his discovery of the “Books of the Platonists.”  Augustine reads several passages teach him some of the ways of God. These passages begin to tie religion into the philosophy with which Augustine is so enthralled. There is, however, still much to learn for Augustine. He has trouble finding the absolute truth about God in the Books of the Platonists as he would later read in the bible, “…none of this did I read here” (7.9.13). Something is still missing that he has yet to encounter to fully understand the ways of God. Augustine’s reading of these Platonic books are thus the middle grounds in his preparation for conversion.

The third and final stage of St. Augustine’s conversion comes to Augustine in a garden as depicted in the Tolle Lege window. As Augustine picks up and reads from Romans 13, he realizes his blindness to God, and is instantly converted. He has broken his bonds. His mind is set free, free to embrace God and His perfection. The journey is complete.

Meaning of Tolle Lege to Students

If students pay attention to the Tolle Lege stained glass window, they would certainly be able to relate to some of the symbols in the window that were previously described. The window conveys the message that students should actively search for knowledge in the literature that is assigned in their classes. As Rev. Kail C. Ellis. OSA, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said in our interview with him: “The answers are within ourselves. Look in likely or unlikely places—books, for example—for the answers. Do not be discouraged; try and it will come.” In an interview with Father Joe Farrell, we asked what message he believed should speak to students. He responded, “They should take the opportunity to read, take the time to read, and see what you can get out of any reading.” Hopefully while in church or while passing by the window, students will be inspired to learn important lessons from any and all readings.