bishop of Hippo in North Africa, was one of the most influential theologians in the history of the church. He was deeply influenced by the piety and example of his mother, Monica, who was a Christian. But that was not sufficient to lead to his conversion to Christ or to prevent him from living an immoral life. It was only at the age of thirty-three that he finally yielded to Christ. In his autobiographical Confessions, he speaks glowingly of the influence his mother’s prayers had in his conversion.