St Monica

We celebrate two feasts (memorials) on 27th and 28th of August every year: of St Monica and her son St Augustine respectively. Augustine himself writes about his mother's unceasing prayers and tears for his conversion. Shortly before her death, Monica said to Augustine, "One thing only there was for which I desired to linger in this life: to see you a Christian before I died. And my God has granted this to me more lavishly than I could have hoped, letting me see even you spurning earthly happiness to be His servant."

Monica's life was far from easy or sweet. But she teaches how a faith-filled woman in the family can be instrumental in the conversion and well-being of all the members in the family. As the story goes, when Monica was very young, was married off to the Roman pagan Patricius, who shared his mother's violent temper. Patricius' mother lived with the couple and the duo's temper flares proved to be a constant challenge to young Monica. While Monica's prayers and Christian deeds bothered Patricius, he is said to have respected her beliefs. Three children were born to Monica and Patricius: Augustine, Navigius, and Perpetua. Unfortunately, Monica was unable to baptize her children and when Augustine fell ill, Monica pleaded with Patricius to allow their son to be baptized. Patricius allowed it, but when Augustine was healthy again, he withdrew his permission. (It was a practice then to delay the Baptism, even up to one's adulthood.) For years Monica prayed for her husband and mother-in-law, until finally, one year before Patricius' death, she successfully converted them. As time passed, Perpetua and Navigius entered the religious life, but unfortunately Augustine became lazy and uncouth. This greatly worried Monica, so when Patricius died, she sent the 17-year-old Augustine to Carthage for schooling. But even education kept Augustine far from the Christian faith.

Monica went to a bishop, who told her, "the child of those tears shall never perish." This encouraged and inspired Monica, who followed Augustine to Rome, where she learned he had left for Milan. She continued her persual and eventually came upon St Ambrose, who was instrumental in bringing Augustine to Christianity following his seventeen-year resistance. After a period of six months, Augustine was baptized in the church of St John the Baptist at Milan. Before their departure to Tagaste, their homeland in Africa, Monica passed away in the Roman port city of Civitavecchia. She was buried at Ostia, and her body was removed during the 6th century to a hidden crypt in the church of Santa Aurea in Ostia, near the tomb of St Aurea of Ostia.

Monica's is an inspiring life, whose spark of faith lit the lives of her mother-in-law, her husband, and her children, especially St Augustine, a key figure and a pillar in the history of Christianity. Thanks to her determination, her tears and unceasing prayers, that became pivotal not in just in a private home, but in the history of Christianity. As someone (perhaps St Augustine or St Thomas Aquinas—I'm not able to find the quote) said: Determination is the only thing needed to be a saint.

May St Monica inspire our Christian lives too! May many Monicas be instrumental in spreading God's light in this world!