Monica was a woman who never gave up on her son. Monica did not plead for a miracle. She prayed and sacrificed for the conversion of her son. Her prayers, disappointments, and many tears were all a means of drawing her closer to God. In her heroic efforts for her son's conversion, she herself became a saint. Monica's whole life, as well as her sanctification, was bound up with Augustine's. Her faith, hope, and love were heroically tested and proved pure in her suffering.
Her marriage to Patricius, a pagan Roman official, was not a happy one, but it was peaceful and stable due mainly to her patience and prudence. Her advice and her powerful example as a wife was an inspiration and a model for domestic peace and stability. Monica's years of caring and crying and continual prayer came from her perseverance and trust in God's Providence. Before he died, Monica saw her husband's conversion.
From the Diary of Saint Faustina
"My sister Wanda came to see me today. When she told me of her plans, I was horror stricken, How is such a thing possible? Such a beautiful little soul before the Lord, and yet, great darkness had come over her. and she did not know how to help herself. She had a dark view of everything. The good God entrusted her to my care, and for two weeks I was able to work with her. But how many sacrifices this soul cost me is only known to God. For no other soul did I bring so many sacrifices and suffering and prayers before the throne of God as I did for her soul. I felt that I had forced God to grant her grace, When I reflect on all this, I see it was truly a miracle. Now I can see how much power intercessory prayer has before God."
As we learn from Saint Monica and Saint Faustina, prayer changes things, but first and foremost, it changes us. When we pray for someone, God hears every one of our prayers, but He also opens our hearts to love more deeply. When we feel compelled to pray for another person, God has entrusted that person to us. God will always hear our prayers and He will often use our prayers for our own sanctification.
Saint Monica prayed, suffered and sacrificed for her son's conversion for over thirty years. Through her actions, her wayward son converted and became a saint. Saint Faustina prayed for two weeks and saw a miracle in her sister Wanda's conversion. God knows the perfect time when a heart is open to receive His grace. The prayers of both of these saints for others led to their own sanctification.
Saint Monica faced a culture in which Christianity had not yet fully taken hold. We live in a culture in which Christianity is increasingly marginalized and children wander away or are pulled away from the Faith. This prayer for her intercession is particularly appropriate today.
Prayer to Saint Monica for Mothers
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.
Saint Monica, pray for us and for all our intentions. Help us to never give up praying for a soul who has been entrusted to us. Blessed Mother Mary, through the intercession of the Saints, pray for us, for our children and loved ones. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place our trust in You.
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