+ We have just read of Jesus raising a young man from the dead on account of the faith-filled request of his mother. This is precisely what happened with Jesus, St. Monica and St. Augustine her son. He was spiritually dead; living the life of a disenfranchised pagan in many ways. But the prayers of his mother paid off in the end.
St. Monica was married by arrangement to a pagan official in North Africa, who was much older than she, and although generous, he was also violent tempered. His mother lived with them and was equally difficult – which proved a constant challenge to St. Monica. She had three children; Augustine, Navigius, and Perpetua. Through her patience and prayers, she was able to be instrumental in the conversion of her husband and his mother to the Catholic faith in 370. He died a year later. Perpetua and Navigius entered the religious life. Augustine, on the other hand was much more difficult – as we shall learn more tomorrow as we celebrate his feast day; Monica prayed for him for 17 years, begging the prayers of priests who for a while, tried to avoid her because of her persistence at this seemingly hopeless endeavor. One priest did console her by saying, "it is not possible that the son of so many tears should perish." This thought, added with a vision that she herself had received strengthened her. St. Augustine was baptized by St. Ambrose in 387. St. Monica died later that same year, on the way back to Africa from Rome in the Italian town of Ostia.
St. Monica is held up as the model of an ideal wife! She was a holy and decent woman who added grace upon grace. Like the sun rising in the Lord's heaven, the beauty of this virtuous woman was a brilliant radiance in her home!
Her light was Christ's Light – and she led at least three to salvation by means of that light! St. Monica pray for us! Help our children! Be an inspiration to Christian families in these days when paganism reigns again!
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