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The woman we know as St Monica was born into a Christian family in
Tagasste, Algeria, across the Mediterranean Sea from Rome, in 332 AD.
Like many of her girl friends, she married young and she married a
pagan, a minor Roman government official named Patricius. Christians were few and
far between in those days. The marriage was blessed with three children, the oldest
and most famous named Augustine.
Patricius was not a model husband. He was short tempered and a
carouser. Yet Monica prayed ceaselessly for his conversion. Her sweet piety,
patience and persistence paid off. One day, Patricius accepted Baptism but he lived
only a short year as a christian before he died.
Her son Augustine was a constant concern for this patient and
forgiving mother. Brilliant and likable, Augustine, much to Monica's dismay, took
after his father - refused to accpet Baptism and began saying the Manichean heresy was
right and the Christians wrong. For years Monica prayed, fasted and cried silently
into her pillow for the wasted, dissolute life her oldest was leading.
God was listening. He heard and finally answered these prayers
of this faithful mother. Augustine, abandoning his sinful ways, accepted
Baptism from the great preacher, scholar and Doctor of the Church, St Ambrose of Milan, on
Easter Sunday, 387 AD.
Augustine's mother, St Monica, died shortly after at the age of 55,
secure in the knowledge that her son had heard God's call and her work on earth was
finished.
St Monica is the patroness of troubled parents, married women and
widows. Her feast is celebrated in the Church on August 27.
Novena 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
belvoed 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 favourably hear my plea for (mention
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.
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