In honor of Mothers day, let us honor one of the patron saints of mothers, St. Monica!Lived from: about 323 to 387
Hometown: Tagaste, North Africa
Feast Day: August 27th.
Monica married young to a wealthy pagan, Patricius, who had violent temper and often criticized Monica for her charity and piety. Furthermore, Monica's angry mother in law also lived with them, and she had to run this household. However, Monica eventually converted both her husband and his mother to Christianity. She had three children, the eldest being St. Augustine. Because of Augustine's immoral lifestyle, for a while Monica refused to let Augustine live in her house. However, after a vision that assured her Augustine would return to the faith, she spent her time in prayer and fasting for him and always remained very close to her son. She even followed him when he left for Rome without telling her. And when she got there and found he was in Milan instead, she went to Milan. Monica adopted St. Ambrose as her spiritual director in Milan, who had a great influence on her. There she continued praying for Augustine through his conversion. She even became a leader of devout women in Milan. She died shortly after Augustine's baptism. For more information:
https://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/MONICA.htm
St. Monica, thank you for your motherly example. You fully demonstrate the fully devoted love of a mother towards her children. Help us to not only appreciate our own mothers and all that they do for us, but also help those who need a mother's love.
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