Patroness of Burdened Parents St. Monica was born into a Christian family in Tagasste, Algeria, across the Mediterranean Sea from Rome, in 332 A.D. Like many of her childhood friends she married young and to a pagan, a minor Roman government official named Patricius. Christians were few and far between in those days. The marriage was blessed with three children, the oldest and most famous being Augustine. Patricius was short tempered and a carouser. Yet Monica prayed ceaselessly for his conversion. Her sweet piety, patience and persistence proved to be efficacious on his behalf. One day he accepted Baptism, living but a short year as a Christian before he died. Her son Augustine was a constant concern for this patient and forgiving mother. Brilliant and likable, Augustine, much to Monica's dismay, took after his father --- refused to accept Baptism and began saying the Manichean heresy was right and the Christians wrong. For years Monica prayed, fasted and cried silently into her pillow for the wasted, dissolute life her oldest was leading. God at last answered these prayers of this faithful mother. Augustine, abandoning his sinful ways, accepted Baptism from the great preacher, scholar and Doctor of the Church, St. Ambrose of Milan, on Easter Sunday, 387 A.D. becoming a great Saint and Father of the Church.  She died 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. St. Monica is also a patroness married women and widows. Her Feast is celebrated August 27, the Traditional Calendar.  PRAYERS: Novena Prayer Dear St. Monica, troubled wife and mother, many sorrows pierced thy heart during thy lifetime. Yet thou never despaired or lost faith. With confidence, persistence and profound faith, thou didst pray daily for the conversion of thy beloved husband, Patricius and thy beloved son, Augustine.   Grant me that same fortitude, patience and trust in the Lord. Intercede for me, dear St. Monica, that God may favorably hear my plea for (mention your petition here) and grant me the grace to accept His will in all things, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen. Prayer for our Children Great St. Monica, patroness of all fathers and mothers, please take our children, especially those who have turned from the ways of God and His Church, under thy protection. Let them always remain faithful to their baptismal vows. Give them the 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 thee the joys of eternal life. Amen. Prayer for Serenity in Adversity O, glorious St. Monica, after a lifetime of tearful prayers, fasting and sacrifice, thou wert at last granted the happiness of witnessing both thy husband's and son's conversion. After thy son Augustine returned to the faith thou saidst, "God has granted this to me in more than abundance. What am I still doing here!" A few days later, thou didst die happily in peace with God. Grant us that same peace, faith and acceptance of God's will that we may live all our years in serenity; pray for our eternal salvation, beloved Patroness. Amen. Prayer of Thanksgiving   Good gentle, kind St. Monica, we turn to thee in grateful affection for thy powerful intercession on our behalf. We feel confident that through thy help, our dear Lord will grant our petitions in the way He knows is best for us and our children. While we thank thee with heartfelt gratitude, we humbly beg thee to continue to intercede for our family in all our needs, spiritual and temporal, and inspire us always to accept God's will in all things. Amen. E-Mail HOME----------PRAYER INDEX----------SAINTS www.catholictradition.org/Passion/saint-monica.htm