Book IX Summary and Analysis

Augustine decides to quietly withdraw from his teaching position. He finishes the last three weeks of the term to avoid major scandal and disruption of the students' lives. He gets ready to enjoy his new life as a monk of the church as soon as the Vintage Vacation arrives. Already Augustine has been suffering from overwork, so he had an easy excuse to quit his job at the end of the semester.

Augustine goes to a country retreat estate in Cassiciacum that is provided to him by Verecundus for the Vintage Holiday, with his friend Alypius and his mother Monica. He is invited to the house by Verecundus, who, because of his ties to his wife, cannot enjoy this retreat or even become a full Christian. However, Verecundus is baptized a Christian before his death.

Augustine continues to read...