St Monica

She was born in Africa. When she was young, she was married off to the Roman pagan Patricius, who shared his mother's violent temper. His mother lived with the couple and both temper flares proved to be a constant challenge to young Monica.

While her prayers and Christian deeds bothered Patricius, he respected her beliefs.

Three children were born : Augustine, Navigius and Perpetua.

Unfortunately, she was unable to babtize her children and when Augustine fell ill, she pleaded with Patricius to allow their son to be babtized.

He allowed it, but when Augustine was healthy again, he withdrew his permission.

For years, she prayed for her husband and mother in law, until finally, one year before Patricius's death, she successfully converted them.

As time passed, Perpetua and Navigius entered the religious life, but unfortunately Augustine became lazy and uncivilized.. This greatly worried her so after Patricius died, she sent 17 years old  Augustine to schooling.

After Augustine returned home, he's not getting better but worse and she drove him out.

Monica had a vision that convinced her to reconcile with her wayward son.

She went to a bishop who told her "the child of those tears shall never perish."

Inspired, she followed Augustine to Rome where she learned he had left for Milan. She continued and came upon St. Ambrose, who helped her convert Augustine to Christianity following his 17 year resistance.

St Monica's Prayer

Saint Monica,

I need your prayers.

You know exactly how I'm feeling because you once felt it yourself.

I'm hurting, hopeless and in despair.

I desperately want my child to return to Christ in his Church but I can't do it alone.

I need God's help.

Please join me in begging the Lord's powerful grace to flow into my child's life.

Ask the Lord Jesus to soften his heart, prepare a path for his conversion and activate the Holy Spirit in his life.

Amen