Who is Saint Monica?
The circumstances of St. Monica’s life could have made her a bitter person and a despairing parent, yet she did not give way to any of these temptations. Although she was a Christian, her parents gave her in marriage to a pagan, Patricius, who lived in her hometown of Tagaste in North Africa. Patricius had some redeeming features, but he had a violent temper and was licentious. Monica also had to bear with a difficult mother-in-law who lived in her home. Monica’s prayers and example finally won her husband and mother-in-law to Christianity.
Her son Augustine was a constant concern for Monica. He was brilliant and likable, however in his own words he “lived in a hissing cauldron of lust.” He refused to accept baptism and lived a passionate life with his mistress and before his conversion to faith he embraced a pagan lifestyle and detached himself from the Christian morals in which he was raised. For years, Monica prayed, fasted, and cried silently for Augustine.
God was listening. He heard and finally answered these prayers of this faithful mother. Augustine, abandoning his sinful ways, accepted baptism from 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.
Today, with Internet searches, e-mail shopping and instant credit, we have little patience for things that take time. Likewise, we want instant answers to our prayers. Saint Monica is a model of patience. Her long years of prayer, coupled with a strong, well-disciplined character, finally led to the conversion of her family.
Who is Saint Monica?
The circumstances of St. Monica’s life could have made her a bitter person and a despairing parent, yet she did not give way to any of these temptations. Although she was a Christian, her parents gave her in marriage to a pagan, Patricius, who lived in her hometown of Tagaste in North Africa. Patricius had some redeeming features, but he had a violent temper and was licentious. Monica also had to bear with a difficult mother-in-law who lived in her home. Monica’s prayers and example finally won her husband and mother-in-law to Christianity.
Her son Augustine was a constant concern for Monica. He was brilliant and likable, however in his own words he “lived in a hissing cauldron of lust.” He refused to accept baptism and lived a passionate life with his mistress and before his conversion to faith he embraced a pagan lifestyle and detached himself from the Christian morals in which he was raised. For years, Monica prayed, fasted, and cried silently for Augustine.
God was listening. He heard and finally answered these prayers of this faithful mother. Augustine, abandoning his sinful ways, accepted baptism from 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.
Today, with Internet searches, e-mail shopping and instant credit, we have little patience for things that take time. Likewise, we want instant answers to our prayers. Saint Monica is a model of patience. Her long years of prayer, coupled with a strong, well-disciplined character, finally led to the conversion of her family.