Book VI Summary and Analysis

Augustine's mother, Monica, joins him in Milan. She becomes one of the faithful at Bishop Ambrose's church. Augustine is uplifted by her love of God and her admiration for Ambrose. Monica has a custom of bringing wine and other gifts to the tombs of Christian saints, but she immediately stops the practice when Ambrose tells the faithful to bring only prayers to these tombs. Ambrose is concerned that bringing wine to these tombs and drinking a blessing to the dead saints would actually encourage drunkenness. Monica understands that Ambrose's intent is to promote restraint and moral behavior.

Augustine also admires Ambrose and listens to his sermons. He would like to ask Ambrose questions, but Ambrose is so busy with his various duties and studying that it is impossible to do so. Augustine begins to understand that when the Scriptures...