St. Monica

St. Monica: The Faithful Mother

Feast Day: August 27  

Patronage: Wives, mothers, victims of abuse, and alcoholics

St. Monica, born in 331 AD in Tagaste (modern-day Algeria), is celebrated as a model of patience, faith, and perseverance. Raised in a Christian family, Monica was married off to Patricius, a Roman pagan. Though their marriage was often difficult—Patricius was known for his violent temper and infidelity—Monica’s deep faith and constant prayers eventually led to his conversion shortly before his death.

Monica had three children, the most famous of whom is St. Augustine. Augustine led a wayward life, embracing Manichaeism and indulging in a life of pleasure and vice. Despite the heartache this caused her, Monica never gave up on him. She prayed tirelessly for his conversion for nearly 17 years, often following him on his travels to Rome and Milan.

Her faith was rewarded when Augustine finally embraced Christianity, was baptized in 387 by St. Ambrose, and went on to become one of the Church’s greatest theologians. Shortly after his baptism, Monica fell ill and passed away in Ostia, Italy. Her final words were a testament to her life of faith: "Nothing is far from God."

St. Monica's life teaches the power of persistent prayer and trust in God’s timing. She was canonized pre-congregation, and her relics are now enshrined in the Church of St. Augustine in Rome.