The Feast of St. Monica

Imagine being the mother of a saint, the mother of a Doctor of the Church.  St. Monica might never have believed it could happen, so intent was she for her son to just, simply save his soul!  St. Augustine, bless him, started out as rather a bad egg, and it took this mother thirty-three years of prayer to save her son, but she did it.  St. Augustine tells us that his mother shed more tears for the loss of his soul than other mothers shed for the death of a child, and it was by the grace of God, and these many tears and prayers, that St. Monica lived to see her wayward son convert from a life of hedonism to a life of holiness.

 How many of us see our "wandering" loved ones and can't imagine this conversion happening?  So far, thank God, all of our children are safe in the fold, but we don't ever, ever rest on our laurels.  The devil is very busy, and the evils of the world can be overwhelming... We can never relax our vigilance and prayers to keep them close to Jesus' Sacred Heart.  But, like most families, we have our share of other dear ones who have strayed away -- some for whom it seems the road back is completely hidden.  But, we can take courage and hope from St. Monica.  Her lesson to us is: never, ever, ever give up. 

Prayer to St. Monica

Dear St. Monica,
troubled wife and mother,
many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime.
Yet, you never despaired or lost faith.
With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,
you prayed daily for the conversion
of your beloved husband, Patricius,
and your beloved son, Augustine;
your prayers were answered.
Grant me that same fortitude, patience,
and trust in the Lord.
Intercede for me, dear St. Monica,
that God may favorably hear my plea for

(Mention your intention here.)

and grant me the grace to accept His Will in all things,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.

Amen.

Dear St. Monica, pray for us!