Monica was unhappily married to Patrick, a pagan who only converted on his deathbed. Her son Augustine abandoned the Catholic faith for a cult, engaged in a life of promiscuity, fathered a son out of wedlock, and resisted the pull of her tearful prayers and relentless entreaties to abandon his dissolute life and return to the Church. Monica herself became addicted to wine and only recovered by God’s grace. The great Saint Ambrose of Milan’s preaching proved irresistible to Augustine, and he reverted to the Church, proving that a mother’s persistent prayers can overcome all resistance by God’s grace.
The Hope of Saint Monica
Saint Augustine wrote about his mother in his Confessions stating,
"She and I happened to be standing by ourselves at a window that overlooked the garden in the courtyard of the house. We were in Ostia on the Tiber. And so, the two of us, all alone, were enjoying a very pleasant conversation, forgetting the past and pushing on to what is ahead. We were asking one another in the presence of the Truth--for you are the Truth--what it would be like to share the eternal life enjoyed by the Saints. We desired with all our hearts to drink from the streams of your heavenly fountain, the fountain of life. That was the substance of our talk, though not the exact words. My mother said: 'Son, as far as I am concerned, nothing in this life now gives me any pleasure. I do not know why I am still here since I have no further hopes in this world. I did have one reason for wanting to live a little longer, to see you become a Catholic Christian before I died. God has lavished His gifts on me in that respect, for I know that you have even renounced earthly happiness to be His servant. So, what am I doing here?'
Soon she fell sick with a fever. My brother and I rushed to her side. She looked at us as we stood there and asked in a puzzled voice, 'Where was I? Here you shall bury your mother.' I remained silent as I held back my tears. However, my brother haltingly expressed his hope that she might not die in a strange country but in her own land since her end would be happier there. When she heard this, her face was filled with anxiety, and she reproached him with a glance because he had entertained such earthly thoughts. Then she looked at me and spoke. 'Look what he is saying.' Thereupon she said to both of us. 'Bury my body wherever you will, let not care of it cause you any concern. One thing only I ask you; that you Remember Me at the altar of the Lord, wherever you may be.'"
- Father David's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and Rosary) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
- To join the Rosary and Mass Livestream, visit the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, Monday – Friday. Consider inviting others to join too! (*If you are not a member of Facebook and a signup window appears, simply select the X at the top of the pop-up message and continue to the livestream.)
