Saint Augustine, the great Bishop of Hippo (modern-day Annaba, Algeria), Africa, chose to appoint his successor four years before he died. Thus, on 26 September 426, he gathered the people to the Basilica of Peace at Hippo to present to the faithful the one he had designated for this task. He said:

In this life we are all mortal, and the day which shall be the last of life on earth is to every man at all times uncertain; but in infancy there is hope of entering boyhood…looking forward from boyhood to youth, from youth to manhood, and from manhood to old age; whether these hopes may be realized or not is uncertain, but there is in each case something which may be hoped for. But old age has no other period of this life to look forward to with expectation; in any case, how long old age may be prolonged is uncertain….. I came to this town – for such was the will of God – when I was in the prime of life. I was young then, but now I am old. (Ep. 213, 1)

Augustine proposed for his own future, to dedicate the years that were left to him to a more intense study of Sacred Scripture. Thus followed four extraordinary years of intellectual activities, bringing important works to conclusion, embarking on others, equally demanding, and held public debates and dialogues.

(Excerpted from Church Fathers: From Clement of Rome to Augustine by Benedict XVI, 2008, Liberia Editrice Vaticana)

http://faculty.georgetown.edu/jod/algeria/images/hippo-view.JPG

Notice how Pope Benedict himself, would follow in the footsteps of the early Church Fathers in retiring before the end of his Petrine ministry and earthly life, to one of monastic scholarly contemplation. In looking at the great works of these luminous historical figures, active especially towards the end of their lives, we are reminded of their beliefs that the work they do will transcend their lifetime, and we are grateful for the historians and biographers who have chosen to carefully preserve their works, in order for future generations to reflect anew on their relevance to the present age (TL).