Abstract

The present study shows the influence that Augustine of Hippo had in the formation and development of the cornerstones of Romano Guardini’s thought, above all in the themes of grace, freedom and destiny. First, we analyze the reception of the Augustinian notion of grace and its impact upon themes related to prayer and liturgical spirituality. Second, we examine how the concept of freedom, central to Guardini’s reflection, is indebted to the conversion experience of Augustine, for whom conversion consists of an existential turning to God the Savior. Finally, we present how the harmonic conjunction of grace and conversion results in the dissolution of poles of tension through the event that surpasses all human expectations: destiny. Instead of a deterministic fatum, Guardini follows Augustine of Hippo in conceiving of destiny as providence, which implies in its historical development the correlative collaboration of grace and free will.