Lately I have been reflecting on Augustine’s journey back to Milan in vatious experiments to create a rockin’ instrumental album. We know that in 387 Augustine and friends along with likely Monica and his son journey back to Milan from their retreat in the hills of Cassiciacum.
This marks a pivotal change in Augustine’s journey. He is returning back to Milan for instruction in the faith and ultimately baptism.
As I have reflected on this trip from Cassiciacum to Milan I was imaging a kind of slow and reflective vibe. According to what I could find it seems the journey would be possible in a day of about 8 hours of walking at a non stop brisk pace. Comfortably the journey can be made on foot in about 2 days time with an overnight rest.
In looking into potential stops along the route to Milan from Cassiciacum I found there was at the time a small town located about half way between Cassiciacum and Milan that was called Modicia (modern day Mondza). This ancient town I think makes sense as a likely stop for the crew especially when we consider they were given to long talks eith care to rest and also when we consider that part of their company consisted of a very young teenager and a woman in her mid to late fifties.
To me this fit with a slow and reflective pace which I am imagining for the party. I don’t see them as in too much of a hurry to arrive back to Milan though I do think there was a growing sense of anticipation and excitement for what lies ahead. We might even say the journey is reflective to a degree of Augustine’s own spiritual journey from the heights of philosophy to the simplicity of faith.
So I picture the journey as beginning at the heights of philosophical reflection in the hills and then a decent from those lofty places towards city life and faith orientated reflections.
The album began as just 5 songs but quickly grew to 12. I have been listening to it for the past few weeks along with the album On the Immortality of the Soul. I am considering releasing them together. I especiallt enjoy the new album On the Immortality of the Soul and am excited to share it. I have also been experimenting with creating simple translations of that work and also past ones so that I can listen to the works themselves and share them also for others to enjoy. Thanks for reading!