August 27, is the feast day of the great St. Monica.
St. Monica was married as a young girl to a Roman Pagan named Patricius. They had three children, Augustine, Navigius and Perpetua. Patricius resisted Monica’s desire to have her children baptized. Monica prayed for her husband for years, and one year before his death he converted to Christ.
As time passed, Navigius and Perpetua entered religious life, but Augustine took a path of intellectual pride and self-indulgence. St. Monica sought the counsel of a Bishop because of her grief over Augustine’s sinful life. The Bishop said to her, “The child of so many tears shall never perish."
She traveled to Milan in Italy where her son was living at the time. With the help of St. Ambrose, the Bishop of Milan, she brought her son to Jesus. Augustine went on to become a great saint, Bishop and Christian scholar. After his conversion, he came to revere his mother and her virtues. He was at her bedside the day she died.
St. Monica is the patron of all parents who grieve over their wayward children. If you find yourself praying that your sons and daughters return to the Lord, turn to St. Monica. She understands and she will help you.
St. Monica, pray for our children!
Fr. Tim Byerley Pastor