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Sts Monica and Augustine

St Monica - August 27
Patron of Mothers, Married Women, Alcoholics

St Augustine - August 28
Patron of Prodigal Sons and Daughters, Printers
 
 

 

Saint Monica persevered in prayer for many years, yet some say, “She actually wasn’t the one who brought Augustine back to the Faith, it was really St. Ambrose”.  When we hear this let us respond with the question:  “Who did all the praying that placed St. Ambrose in Augustine’s path so that he might influence him?"  Let us trust God to answer our prayers for our loved ones in His Time and in His Way.  He knows best. 


Saint Augustine's story provides hope for all of us who pray for the return of a prodigal to the practice of the Catholic Faith.  In his life as a pagan, what evidence existed to encourage his mother that her prayers would be answered by his return to the Faith?  The only answer is her trust in God's word that "prayer works"[2Chronicles 7:14];  that God would send what/who (Ambrose) was needed to call Augustine back "my sheep hear my voice"[John 10:27-30 ; and that, due to his mother's prayers, abundant Grace "my grace is sufficient"[2Cor 12:9] would someday open Augustine's eyes, mind, and heart.  Let us continue to trust and pray.

Who was Saint Monica ?

     Due to patience and prayers, Monica witnessed the conversion of both her ill-tempered husband and difficult mother-in-law. Two of her children took religious vows, but, son Augustine, proved a challenge. Away at school, he began a life of sin and became a Manichean (a religion of dualism that sees matter as intrinsically evil and mind as intrinsically good). After hearing his heretical views, Monica banned him from her home, but welcomed him back after having had a vision. She followed her son and prayed many years for his return to the Faith. Several priests saw her prayer for his conversion to as hopeless.
      However, a bishop's words, "it is not possible that the son of so many tears should be lost," encouraged her to persevere.
     Then, Augustine met St. Ambrose who baptized him. His mother died the year her prayer was answered. Her perseverance in prayer for her prodigal Augustine gave the Church a great philosopher, theologian, bishop, author of profound writings, saint, and doctor of the Church. What better example of the power of prayer in the lives of prodigal Catholics? St Monica’s feast day is Aug 27.

Prayer to St Monica for Mothers

Blessed Monica, mother of St. Augustine, we give thanks to our Father in Heaven Who looked with mercy upon your tears over your wayward son. His conversion and heroic sanctification were the fruit of your prayers. Dear St. Monica we now ask you to pray with us for all those sons and daughters that have wandered away from God, and to add your prayers to those of all mothers who are worried over their children. Pray also for us that, following your example, we may, in the company of our children, one day enjoy the eternal vision of our Father in Heaven.  Amen.

Prayer to St Monica for Our Children

Great St. Monica, patroness of fathers and mothers, please take our children, especially those who have turned from the ways of God and His Church, under your protection.  Let them always remain faithful to their baptismal vows. Give them strength to walk always in the ways of the Lord, despite the temptations and false values they find in the world today. Grant that they may share with you in the joys of eternal life in God.  Amen.


Who was Saint Augustine?

       St Augustine is well known in Christianity as the “sinner turned saint.”  Through St Monica’s persistent prayer, her prodigal son would become a doctor of the church.  The best known works of this highly educated philosopher/theologian include the Confessions, an autobiographical meditation on God's grace, and The City of God, on the nature of human society and the place of Christianity in history. He was born of a pagan father and a Christian mother, brought up as a Christian, but renounced the Christian faith.  Eventually, he met St Ambrose who greatly influenced him.  After a long interior struggle, described in his Confessions, Augustine was converted.  He then lived a monastic life in Africa, was ordained a priest.  Four years later he became coadjutor-bishop of Hippo and remained there until his death.
    
The tears of his mother, the instructions of Ambrose and, most of all, God himself speaking to him in the Scriptures redirected Augustine’s love of life to a life of love. He wrote of his way of living in later years with these words:  “Our hearts were made for You, O Lord, and they are restless until they rest in you.”

Prayer of St Augustine of Hippo

     Lord Jesus, let me know myself and know You, and desire nothing save only You.  Let me hate myself and love You.  Let me do everything for the sake of You.  Let me humble myself and exalt You.  Let me think of nothing except You.  Let me die to myself and live in You.
     Let me accept whatever happens as from You.  Let me banish self and follow You, and ever desire to follow You.  Let me fly from myself and take refuge in You, that I may deserve to be defended by You.
     Let me fear for myself, let me fear You, and let me be among those who are chosen by You.  Let me distrust myself and put my trust in You.  Let me be willing to obey for the sake of You.  Let me cling to nothing save only to You, and let me be poor because of You.  Look upon me, that I may love You.
     Call me that I may see You, and forever enjoy You.  Amen.