Today the Church commemorates the life of Saint Monica, mother of Saint Augustine of Hippo who was instrumental in converting her son to the faith. Monica was born circa 322 AD in in North Africa & died in 387 AD in Italy. Monica was given in marriage to an ill tempered pagan named Patricius and bore thee sons, one of whom is Saint Augustine of Hippo. As a Christian witness to the faith she prayed for the conversion of her husband who came to know the Lord on his deathbed and of her sons. Saint Augustine wrote his well know work Confessions in which he wrote about his mother, St. Monica in his own conversion experience. Below is an excerpt describing Saint Monica from the Confessions
“‘You put forth your hand from on high, and you drew my soul out of that pit of darkness, when before you my mother, your faithful servant, wept more for me than mothers weep over their children’s dead bodies. By that spirit of faith which she had from you, she saw my death, and you graciously heard her, O Lord. Graciously you hear her, and you did not despise her tears when they flowed down from her eyes and watered the earth beneath, in whatsoever place she prayed.” (Book III, Chapter 11)
We too should have the same courage & conviction of thy holy servant Monica where we can only weep & pray for the conversion of our family to come to know the Lord Jesus in a deep & profound way.
Saint Monica is known as the patroness of wives, abuse victims, alcoholics, mothers, and widows.
From the collect at Mass:
O God, who console the sorrowful and who mercifully accepted the motherly tears of Saint Monica for the conversion of her son Augustine, grant us, through the intercession of them both, that we may bitterly regret our sins that we may bitterly regret our sins and find the grace of your pardon. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
Saint Monica, Pray for us.
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