Feast Day of Saint Monica of Hippo

Mother of Saint Augustine of Hippo

St. Monica was born into a Christian family in Tagaste, Algeria, across the Mediterranean Sea from
Rome, in 332 AD. She married a pagan, a minor Roman government official named Patricius. Christians
were few and far between in those days. The marriage was blessed with three children; the oldest
and most famous was Augustine.

Patricius was not a model husband yet Monica prayed ceaselessly for his conversion. Her sweet piety,
patience, and persistence paid off. One day, Patricius accepted baptism but he died a year after.
Her son Augustine was a constant concern for Monica. Brilliant and likable, Augustine followed the
example of his father. He refused to accept baptism and lived a passionate life with his mistress. For
years Monica prayed, fasted, and cried silently for Augustine.

God was listening. He heard and finally answered these prayers of this faithful mother. Augustine,
abandoning his sinful ways, accepted baptism from St. Ambrose of Milan, on Easter Sunday, 387 AD.
Augustine’s mother, St. Monica, died shortly after at the age of 55, secure in the knowledge that her son
had heard God’s call and her work on earth was finished.

In addition to lapsed Catholics, St. Monica is the patroness of troubled parents, battered wives, despondent
mothers, widows, and alcoholics. Her feast is celebrated on August 27.