SAINT MONICA, WIDOW—332-387
Feast: May 4

Our knowledge of Monica comes almost entirely from
the writings of her much-loved son, the great Doctor
of the Church, St. Augustine of Hippo. His relationship
with his mother was a close one, especially during
Monica's last years. In Book IX of St. Augustine's
"Confessions"he gives us many details of her life, and
expresses his gratitude for her devotion in moving
terms. Monica was born about the year 332 in
Tagaste, North Africa, of a Christian family of some
substance. We are given one episode of her
childhood which suggests a possible origin for her
firmness of will. She was sometimes sent down to
the cellar to draw wine for the family, and fell into
the habit of taking secret sips. She developed such a
passion for wine that before long she was drinking
great draughts of it whenever opportunity offered.
One day a family slave who had been spying on the
little girl denounced her as a wine-bibber, and
Monica, covered with shame, gave up the habit.
Soon afterwards she was baptized, and thenceforth
seems to have led a life of irreproachable virtue.

As soon as Monica had reached marriageable age, her parents found a
husband for her, the pagan Patricius. He was a man of violent temper and
their home could scarcely have been a happy one. Monica endured his
outbursts with the utmost patience, although he was critical of Christians and
their practices. The daily example of her gentleness and kindness finally had its rewards, and a year before
his death, which occurred when Augustine was seventeen, Patricius accepted his wife's faith. 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, so that he might develop his talents and become a man of culture. He took to learning naturally
but he also spent time in youthful carousing. This caused his mother great anguish, and when he returned
to Tagaste, she disapproved so strongly both of his loose living and of his espousal of the popular heresy of
Manichaeism that she refused at first to allow him to live at home. She relented only after having seen a
vision. One day as she was weeping over his behavior, a figure appeared and asked her
the cause of her grief. She answered, and a voice issued from the mysterious figure, telling her to dry her
tears; then she heard the words, "Your son is with you." Monica related this story to Augustine, and he
replied that they might easily be together if she gave up her faith, for that was the main obstacle keeping
them apart. Quickly she retorted, "He did not say I was with you: he said that you were with me."
Augustine was impressed by the quick answer and never forgot it. Although his conversion was not to take
place for nine long years, Monica did not lose faith. She continually fasted, prayed, and wept on his behalf.
She implored the local bishop for help in winning him over, and he counseled her to be patient, saying,
"God's time will come." Monica persisted in importuning him, and the bishop uttered the words which have
often been quoted: "Go now, I beg you; it is not possible that the son of so many tears should perish."

Augustine was twenty-nine and a successful teacher when he decided to go to Rome. Monica opposed the
move, fearing that his conversion would be indefinitely postponed. Her son went on with his plan, and set
off with his young mistress and little son Adeodatus for the seaport. His mother followed him there, and
when he saw that she intended to accompany him, he outwitted her by a deception as to the time of
sailing. He embarked while she was spending the night praying in a church. Although this grieved her
deeply, Monica was still not discouraged about her wayward son, for she continued on to Rome. The ship
on which she took passage was tossed about by a storm, and she cheered those on board by her serene
confidence in God's mercy. On reaching Rome, Monica learned that her son had gone to Milan. There he
had come under the influence of the great Bishop Ambrose. When his mother finally found him in the
northern city, he had given up Manichaeism, although he was not yet a Christian. Monica's friendship with
Ambrose is worth touching upon. She apparently made a friend of this eminent churchman and he
entertained the highest opinion of her. Here in Milan, as at home in North Africa, Monica was foremost
among the women in all charitable works, and also in her devotions. The bishop, however, persuaded her to
give up some of the customs practiced by the Christians of her homeland, for they were derived from
ancient pagan rites; carrying food and wine to the tombs of the martyrs was one of the customs which
Monica now relinquished.

The joyous day of Augustine's conversion, which will be fully described in the life of that saint, came at last.
For some time his mother had been trying to end her son's illicit relationship of so many years' standing.
She hoped to find a suitable bride for him, but after his mistress went back to Africa Augustine informed her
that he would now adopt a celibate life and devote himself to God's service. The <Confessions> give us
glimpses of the period of preparation preceding his baptism. The time was passed in the house of a friend,
where a close-knit group, consisting of his mother, brother, Adeodatus, and a few companions occupied
themselves with discussions of religion and philosophy. At Easter, when Bishop Ambrose baptized Augustine,
his mother's cup was full to overflowing.

Augustine and the members of his family now set out for their return to Tagaste. At the port of Ostia,
Monica fell ill. She knew that her work had been accomplished and that life would soon be over. Her
exaltation of spirit was such that her sons were unaware of the approach of death. As Monica's strength
failed, she said to Augustine: "I do not know what there is left for me to do or why I am still here, all my
hopes in this world being now fulfilled. All I wished for was that I might see you a Catholic and a child of
Heaven. God granted me even more than this in making you despise earthly felicity and consecrate yourself
to His service." Shortly afterwards they asked her if she did not fear to die so far from home, for she had
earlier expressed a desire to be buried beside her husband in Tagaste. Now, with beautiful simplicity, she
replied, "Nothing is far from God," and indicated that she was content to be buried where she died. Monica's
death plunged her children into the deepest grief, and Augustine, "the son of so many tears," in the
<Confessions> implores his readers' prayers for his parents. It is the prayers of Monica herself that have
been invoked by generations of the faithful who honor her as a special patroness of married women and as
an example for Christian motherhood. Her relics are alleged to have been transferred from Ostia to Rome,
to rest in the church of San Agostino. Her emblems are a girdle and tears.
Taken from "Lives of Saints", Published by John J. Crawley & Co., Inc.

Prayer to Saint 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. Amen.