Saint Monica, Mother of Augustine

May 4 – St. Monica, Mother of Augustine – (RC August 27) –

St. Monica is the patroness of mothers and it’s easy to understand why. Her persistent prayer and godly example helped to draw her son Augustine away from a life of self indulgence to a life of faith. Not only is she a wonderful example of a Christian mother but also she shows us all how to persevere in prayer for those whom we care about, family and friends. Monica longed for Augustine to become a Christian and this was her main concern for 18 years. In Milan she met St Ambrose who became her spiritual director. It seems that it was a combination of Monica’s prayers and Ambrose’s teaching which finally led to Augustine becoming a Christian in 386.

~Image: St. Monica. St. Paul the Apostle Church, Westerville, Ohio