Feast of St. Monica

I didn't realize that today on the traditional Roman Catholic calendar it is the feast day of St. Monica.  There isn't a traditional latin mass near me. I need to get better about watching the calendar. I have an app on my IPOD that shows both calendars, the Norvus Ordo and the Traditional.

St. Monica was a Christian given in  marriage to a pagan, Patricius and the lived in North Africa. He had a violent temper. St. Monica's mother in law lived with them, also and would cause problems for Monica. Patricius criticized his wife because of her Christian faith but as time went on he was converted and baptized before his death because of what he saw in Monica.

Monica had  three children, two boys and a girl. Augustine, the most famous, was 17 when his father died. He began to follow a heresy that brought much distress to Monica. One night, though,  Monica had a vision that assured her Augustine would return to the faith. She stayed very close to her son, praying and fasting for him.

At 29, Augustine decided to go to Rome to teach rhetoric. Monica was determined to go along. One night he tricked his mother by telling her  he was going to the dock to speak to a friend. Instead, he set sail for Rome. Extremely hurt  after his trick she still followed him. She followed him to Rome but found out only that he had gone on to Milan.

In Milan, Augustine was influenced by the bishop, St. Ambrose.  He gave much instruction to Augustine. Monica would follow the bishop's advice, also.

She continued her prayers for Augustine and  Easter, 387, St. Ambrose baptized Augustine. There were others of his friends baptized at the same time. After that they would get together and they would study scripture and have many discussions about our beautiful faith.

 Monica knew her life was near the end. She told Augustine, “Son, nothing in this world now affords me delight. I do not know what there is now left for me to do or why I am still here, all my hopes in this world being now fulfilled.” Her prayers were answered.  She became ill shortly after and suffered much for nine days before her death.


I just love her. I love the fact that she never gave up on her son. She never stopped praying for him. She was just not willing to accept his being lost. She is such an example not to give up.