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Santa Mónica exemplifies masterly the power of prayer of a family woman. Through love, patience, faith and prayer, Saint Monica helped her husband and son to walk the paths of God. Her example is still current. This is her story.
Santa Monica was raised as a Christian and, later, she married a person who did not share that faith. Patricio was an atheist politician. They had three children together and their marriage was not easy. But Monica never became despondent and remained patient. Her faith reached such a point that it became a consolation and help for many other women in her environment who were experiencing marital problems.
But what was the source of the strength that led Santa Monica to serve her husband with disinterested love? That source was faith and prayer. Eventually, their prayers paid off. A year before Patrick’s death, he converted to Catholicism. A drastic vital transformation in which, without a doubt, the prayers of Saint Monica and her loving example influenced.
Santa Mónica and her son San Agustín
Santa Monica was very pleased with her husband’s conversion, she still worried about her son Agustín. Even though he was brilliant and endowed with gifts, he spent most of his time on the streets with friends and living promiscuously. Even so, Santa Monica never abandoned his son. As she did for her husband, Monica prayed daily for Augustine to return to the path of faith.
While they were in Milan, she met St. Ambrose, the local bishop who would later be canonized. Ambrose became his spiritual guide. St. Ambrose promised Santa Monica: “I assure you that the son of so many tears will not perish.” And the prediction was fulfilled. Agustín and Ambrosio shared a close friendship that strengthened over the years. At the age of 32, Ambrose baptized St. Augustine, who would eventually become one of the most influential thinkers in Western history and one of the greatest saints in the Catholic Church. At present, the Church celebrates Saint Monica (August 27) and Saint Augustine (August 28), side by side in the liturgical calendar. Together they offer a powerful testimony of the strength of faith and prayer in the midst of the world.
