About St. Monica

The eyes of Saint Monica were the eyes of many tears. These tears were shed while praying for the conversion of her son, Augustine, who, as he grew into manhood, turned his back on God. He led a sinful and decadent life, publicly denounced Catholicism and established himself in the Manichaean sect, a popular religious ideology of the time. It was Saint Monica's unfaltering belief in the power of prayer that led to Augustine's conversion. It changed him into the great theologian and saint whose keen and philosophical mind left us the inspirational literary work known as his Confessions.

Saint Monica was born into a wealthy family in Tagaste, Africa in 331 A.D. She was married to a pagan named Patricius who was generous but extremely hot-tempered. Monica, however, had a way of thwarting his temper.

Although it was the accepted custom at this time for men to beat their wives when displeased, Monica was never beaten. She would tell her friends sarcastically that they were, after all, their husbands' slaves girls." It was not proper for them to rise up against their lord and master and she would warn, "Guard your tongue when your husband is in passion." She was wise. She would wait without saying a word until Patricius' anger abated. Then she would calmly make him see that she had been right all along.

Over the years, Monica's reasonable and humble example, together with her prayers, transformed Patricius. He was given the gift of faith and was baptized. This changed their heretofore formal relationship into a warm, spiritual devotion to each other.

After his death, Monica made a vow to devote her life entirely to God and to give up all earthly pleasures. She spent her time ministering to the poor, especially providing for the spiritual needs of orphans. While accomplishing all these good works, however, she was preoccupied with one task above all: the conversion of her wayward son, Augustine. Monica was a persistent woman and her faith in God was invincible. One day she went to the Bishop of Cartage and pleaded with him to save her son. The bishop, himself was a convert from Manichaeanism and what he saw in her eyes prompted this famous reply: "Go thy way and God be with you. It is not possible that the son of these tears should perish."

For 17 years Monica prayed that her son might be converted. She followed him everywhere- to Tagaste, Carthage, Rome and Milan. It was in Milan that Augustine finally converted and Monica's long quest was ended. God had heard her petitions and answered them- in excess. Augustine was destined for a special purpose. He went on to lead an exemplary life and was later declared a saint.

This all-absorbing love for her son suits Saint Monica well for her title as patron saint of mothers. Saint Augustine attested to his mother's love when he wrote, "I have no words to express the love she had for me, and with how much more anguish she was now suffering the pangs of childbirth for my spiritual state than when she had given birth to me physically I just cannot see how she could have been healed if my death in sin had come to pierce the entrails of her love."

Saint Monica's work did not end with her son's conversion. Her final task was to enter a convent to begin penitential discipline. She died in 387 AD, at the age of 56. We would be wise to admire Saint Monica, not just because she converted her son, but for the example she set by her persistent belief in the power of prayer.

by Jean Anglin