Mother and son tandem for holiness

St. Monica’s feast is celebrated August 27 by the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England while the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Evangelical and Episcopal Churches of America celebrate it every 4th of May (Wikipedia).

MONICA was born about the year 332 in Tagaste, North Africa, of a Christian family. When she had reached marriageable age, her parents found a husband for her, the pagan Patrius — a man of violent temper. Added to this, her mother-in-law who lived with them, was equally difficult. Through her patience and prayers, they were converted to the Catholic faith later.

Monica and Patricius had three children — Navigius, who seems to have been an exemplary son, Augustine, and Perpetua, a daughter, who became a religious.

Augustine, the more brilliant of the sons, was sent to Carthage to develop his talents. When he returned to Tagaste, Monica disapproved so strongly both of his loose living and of his espousal of the popular heresy of Manichaeism (a dualistic religious system with Christian, Gnostic, and pagan elements) .

Monica continually fasted, prayed, and wept on his behalf for many years for him to change his immoral and wayward ways. She repeatedly begged priests to pray, to the point that some priests avoided her for a while for her persistence at a seemingly hopeless endeavor.  But one priest consoled her: “It is not possible that the son of so many tears should perish.”

What seems to be impossible for the efforts of man is possible to the unfathomable mercy and love of God. Through great sacrifice comes victorious glory in God’s will and time. There is no instant for something worth waiting. The joyous day of Augustine’s conversion came at Easter when Bishop Ambrose baptized Augustine, Monica’s cup was full to overflowing.

Modern mothers can learn much from the life of St. Monica. Cruel husband, difficult mother-in-law, disobedient son, and a drinking habit when she was young which she regretted and stopped. She dealt her problems in quiet and seeking for prayer partners for her cause.

Today, our own “Monica’s” could be our parents, our friends, or even our spouses and loved ones.  They are always faithfully praying for us for our conversion. May the good Lord, Jesus Christ, bring consolation to them in times of despair and anguish — that He may bring hope one day to their sacrifices — that He may give them reward for their patience.

“May at YOUR altar remember Monica, YOUR handmaid, together with Patricius, her husband, by whose flesh YOU introduced me into this life.” She, who, “from the time YOU regenerated her by baptism, no word went forth from her mouth against YOUR precepts.  Let none separate her from YOUR protection.  Let not the lion and the dragon introduce himself by force or fraud. I then, O my Praise and my LIFE, THOU GOD of my heart, putting aside her good deeds, for which I give thanks to YOU, do now beseech YOU for the sins of my mother.  Hearken unto me, through that Medicine of our wounds WHO hung upon the tree, and WHO, sitting at YOUR right Hand, makes intercession for us.  I know that she acted mercifully, and from the heart, forgave her debtors their debts; do THOU also forgive her debts. Forgive her, O LORD, forgive her, I beseech YOU; enter not into judgment with her.  Let YOUR mercy be exalted above YOUR justice” (Confessions of St. Augustine, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol 1*).

Thus, prayed St. Augustine for St. Monica, his mother, upon her death. Any mother would want to be surrendered to GOD in this most holy way, especially by one’s own son.  Who, then, is this mother who inspired a son to say “O my GOD, WHO made us, how can the honour which I paid to her be compared with her slavery for me?”

Invoking St. Monica’s intercession, we beg GOD to help us trust HIS holy will in everyone and everything, as we pray the –

Prayer to St. Monica

Exemplary mother of the great Augustine, you perseveringly pursued your wayward son, not with wild threats, but with prayerful cries to heaven.  Intercede for all mothers in our day, so that they may learn to draw their children to GOD. Teach them how to remain close to their children, even the prodigal sons and daughters who have sadly gone astray.

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.

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 (state your petition 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.

To GOD be all glory!!!