St. Monica
Feast 08-27 · Canonized Pre-Congregation
Patron of
About
Monica was born around 331 in Thagaste, North Africa, into a Christian family. She was married to Patricius, a pagan official with a violent temper, whom she won over to Christianity by her patience and prayers. She bore three children, the eldest of whom was Augustine, later bishop of Hippo and one of the greatest theologians of the Church.
For many years Augustine lived a wayward life and followed the Manichaean sect, and Monica prayed and wept for his conversion. She followed him to Rome and Milan, where her persistence and the preaching of St. Ambrose were finally rewarded when Augustine was baptized in 387.
Monica died at Ostia later that same year, content that her life's prayer had been answered. She is honored as a model of persevering prayer and is a patron of mothers, wives, and those with wayward children.
Suggested prayer
O God, who answered the tears and prayers of St. Monica by giving her back her son Augustine, grant through her intercession that parents who weep over wayward children may see their tears bear fruit. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
