Reflection: Saint Monica

After to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Monica is one of the best examples of Christian motherhood. Today we celebrate her Feast Day. For years, she prayed for the conversion of her son. Her persistence was answered with abundant grace. Her son, Augustine, became a Saint and a Doctor of the Church.

Monica prayed continually, with perseverance and trust in God's providence. Monica did not plead for a miracle; she prayed and sacrificed for the conversion of her son. Her prayers, disappointments, and tears were all 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 tested in her suffering.

Her marriage to Patricius, a pagan Roman official, was not happy but it was peaceful and stable due to her patience and prudence. Patricius was often a volatile man and was often unfaithful to Monica. He was a good father to Augustine. With Monica, he made many personal sacrifices to educate their promising son. This cooperative effort probably brought them together and Monica saw his conversion before he died.

Never give up praying for someone. God has entrusted that soul to you.

Prayer changes our hearts. God expands our hearts with His love when we pray. God answers all our prayers in His own perfect timing. Sometimes, the answer is to wait patiently. God calls upon us to pray, with confident trust, that He will answer our prayers.

Monica lived in a culture in which Christianity had not yet fully taken hold. We live in a secular culture in which Christianity is increasingly marginalized and children are drawn 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 persevered and 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.

Prayer of Adoration
Praise to You, Heavenly Father, to Jesus Christ Your Son, and to the Holy Spirit. I adore and thank you for the gift of the Blessed Mother. As I walk with the Mother of Jesus today, I honor her sorrow and her tears. As she is known to do with all her children who make such journeys, she ultimately brings me here, to the Father's throne and to the feet of Jesus. I beg you to honor my efforts as I join with the Blessed Mother and ask that the hearts of prodigal Catholics be softened and opened to allow them to search for and discover the truth. I pray this prayer in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Glory Be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

Saint Monica, pray for us and intercede for all the intentions we receive through this ministry.

O Mary, Queen of the Angels and the Saints, pray for us and for our children. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place our trust in You.