St. Monica

She prayed for her brilliant, wayward son for seventeen years and lived to see him baptized.

The story

Married to an ill-tempered pagan whom she eventually won to the faith, Monica followed her son Augustine from Africa to Rome to Milan, weeping and praying while he chased fame, pleasure, and heresy. A bishop told her, "It is not possible that the son of so many tears should perish." In 387 Ambrose baptized Augustine; months later, at Ostia, mother and son shared a mystical vision, and she died at peace.

What Monica teaches

Persevering prayer for those we love is never wasted, even when it takes decades.

Patronage

mothers, wives, difficult marriages, wayward children.

Prayer

St. Monica, pray for every parent who weeps over a child, and obtain for them the grace of patient, hope-filled prayer. Amen.