From the Desk of Father Nathan

Saint Monica, whom we honor this Thursday, was the mother of one of the greatest saints in the history of the Church: Saint Augustine, whose feast we will celebrate the next day, Friday, August 28.

Monica was most likely born in Thagaste, present-day Souk Ahras, Algeria, in North Africa. She was raised in a Christian home and became quite devout. Because Christianity was still new to the Roman Empire, Christians were likely a minority at that time.

Monica married a man named Patricius (Patrick), who was not a Christian and was said to have had a violent temper and an immoral lifestyle.

Monica’s marriage and home life were difficult, but she was a woman of deep faith and prayer. Earlier in her life, she had struggled with alcohol but overcame that difficulty. Once married, her husband opposed her Christian faith and prayer life, but he also saw in her something that led to his respect for her.

She had a difficult life in which to practice her faith. Monica’s only recourse was prayer. She prayed fervently for her family’s conversion, and her prayers began to take hold. Patricius admired Monica’s virtues and was deeply affected by her love for him.

Augustine was searching for truth as a teenager. He eventually decided to open a school of rhetoric and could think of no better place than Rome. Around the age of thirty-one, he informed his mother that he was going to Rome.

Because of her motherly concern for her son, and because she had already seen her two other children convert and be baptized, Monica told Augustine that she was going with him. However, before she knew it, Augustine had secretly departed and traveled to Rome without her.

She would not give up, so she followed him. By the time she arrived in Rome, Augustine had already left and taken a prestigious teaching position in Milan. She followed him there.

Over the next four years in Milan, Monica never gave up, praying for her son through tears. Since Augustine was impressed with intellectuals, he was drawn to the Catholic Bishop of Milan, the future Saint Ambrose.

Bishop Ambrose was an answer to a mother’s prayers.

Around the year 387, at the age of thirty-three, Augustine converted to Christianity and was baptized by Bishop Ambrose.

Saint Monica has long been seen as a model of hope for those whose family members have gone astray. As we honor her and her son this week, ponder the power of St. Monica’s prayers.

As you do, be reminded that your prayers for your family are powerful. If you have someone in your family who has gone astray, allow St. Monica to inspire you. Devote yourself to praying for them, so that each member of your family may one day share with you in the glories of Heaven.

May God bless each of you.