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St. Monica, Mother of St. Augustine, Pray for the Living and the DeadFeast Day August 17 (322 to 387) St. Monica was born and baptized a Christian in the year 322 in Ostia, Italy. She entered an arranged marriage to a pagan named Patricius. Monica's marriage was difficult; Patricius was bad-tempered and adulterous. In addition, his mother lived with them throughout most of their marriage. Monica bore these crosses silently; she did not tell others of her difficult marriage. Instead, she prayed constantly and fervently for her husband. Their stormy marriage produced three children: Navigius, Perpetua, and Augustine. After years of persistent prayer, Monica's husband and mother-in-law converted to the Catholic faith in the year 370. Her children Perpetua and Navigius entered the religious life shortly thereafter. Her son, Augustine, proved much more difficult. Unlike his siblings, he rejected a life of faith and instead pursued an immoral life filled with drinking and women. As she had done with her husband, Monica met the challenge of her son with great faith, praying so earnestly and persistently that priests were said to avoid her when she approached. After 17 years, Monica's faith was rewarded when Augustine was baptized by St. Ambrose in 387. The conversion of St. Augustine produced some of the greatest writings in Church history. Much of what we know about Monica comes from her son's writings. In his Confessions, Augustine writes that on her deathbed, Monica said to her son: "Bury my body wherever you will; let not care of it cause you any concern. One thing only I ask you, that you remember me at the altar of the Lord wherever you may be." Monica is considered the patroness of married women and alcoholics. Her feast is celebrated on August 27th. Click on one of the Saints to the right to learn more about them. |
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