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.

Novena to Saint Monica of Hippo Day 9

Day Nine

Today we pray for those who are ready to come home and just need
to be invited. May the Holy Spirit open our hearts and eyes to them
that we may be the inviting and welcoming presence they seek.


Intentions



Novena Prayer:

Exemplary mother of the Great Augustine, you perseveringly
pursued your wayward son…not with wild threats but with
prayerful cries to heaven. Intercede for all mothers in our day so
that they may learn to draw their children to God.
Teach us to remain close to all God’s children, even the prodigal
sons and daughters who have sadly gone astray.
Dear St. Monica, troubled wife and mother, many sorrows
pierced your heart during your lifetime. Yet, you never despaired
or lost faith. With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,
you prayed daily for the conversion of your beloved husband,
Patricius and your beloved son, Augustine.
Grant me that same fortitude, patience, and trust in the Lord. Intercede
for me, dear St. Monica, that God may favorably hear my
plea for (names of those you are praying for) and grant me the grace
to accept His will in all things, through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen.

Pray Hail Mary 3 times

Pray Glory Be 3 times

St. Monica, pray for us

http://www.stthomasaquinas.org/sites/default/files/pdflibrary/StMonicaNovena.pdf

Novena to Saint Monica

Day Eight

Today we pray for those who feel abandoned by God. May they come
to see God working in their lives, restore their faith in Him, and come
home to His church. (Pray Novena Prayers)

Novena Prayers:

Exemplary mother of the Great Augustine, you perseveringly
pursued your wayward son…not with wild threats but with
prayerful cries to heaven. Intercede for all mothers in our day so
that they may learn to draw their children to God.
Teach us to remain close to all God’s children, even the prodigal
sons and daughters who have sadly gone astray.
Dear St. Monica, troubled wife and mother, many sorrows
pierced your heart during your lifetime. Yet, you never despaired
or lost faith. With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,
you prayed daily for the conversion of your beloved husband,
Patricius and your beloved son, Augustine.
Grant me that same fortitude, patience, and trust in the Lord. Intercede
for me, dear St. Monica, that God may favorably hear my
plea for (names of those you are praying for) and grant me the grace
to accept His will in all things, through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen.

Pray Hail Mary 3 times

Pray Glory Be 3 times

St. Monica, pray for us

Intentions

http://www.stthomasaquinas.org/sites/default/files/pdflibrary/StMonicaNovena.pdf

Novena to Saint Monica Day 7

Day Seven

Today we pray for those who are resisting Your call due to pressures
from friends and family members. May the Holy Spirit give them
strength in their convictions and may the Holy Spirit fill the hearts of
their friends and family with love and support. (Pray Novena Prayers

Novena Prayers:

Exemplary mother of the Great Augustine, you perseveringly
pursued your wayward son…not with wild threats but with
prayerful cries to heaven. Intercede for all mothers in our day so
that they may learn to draw their children to God.
Teach us to remain close to all God’s children, even the prodigal
sons and daughters who have sadly gone astray.
Dear St. Monica, troubled wife and mother, many sorrows
pierced your heart during your lifetime. Yet, you never despaired
or lost faith. With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,
you prayed daily for the conversion of your beloved husband,
Patricius and your beloved son, Augustine.
Grant me that same fortitude, patience, and trust in the Lord. Intercede
for me, dear St. Monica, that God may favorably hear my
plea for (names of those you are praying for) and grant me the grace
to accept His will in all things, through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen.

Pray Hail Mary 3 times

Pray Glory Be 3 times

St. Monica, pray for us

Intentions

http://www.stthomasaquinas.org/sites/default/files/pdflibrary/StMonicaNovena.pdf

Novena to Saint Monica

Day Six

Today we pray for all those who believe in their hearts but are fearful
of judgment or institutions. May they find the support and joy of
belonging to our Church community. (Pray Novena Prayers)

Novena Prayers:

Exemplary mother of the Great Augustine, you perseveringly pursued your wayward son…not with wild threats but with prayerful cries to heaven. Intercede for all mothers in our day so that they may learn to draw their children to God. Teach us to remain close to all God’s children, even the prodigal sons and daughters who have sadly gone astray. Dear St. Monica, troubled wife and mother, many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime. Yet, you never despaired or lost faith. With confidence, persistence, and profound faith, you prayed daily for the conversion of your beloved husband, Patricius and your beloved son, Augustine. Grant me that same fortitude, patience, and trust in the Lord. Intercede for me, dear St. Monica, that God may favorably hear my plea for (names of those you are praying for) and grant me the grace to accept His will in all things, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen.

Pray Hail Mary 3 times
Pray Glory Be 3 times
St. Monica, pray for us

Novena to Saint Monica

Day 5

Today we pray for those whose sins make them feel unworthy to come
to God. May they feel the warm embrace of Our Father’s loving
forgiveness. (Pray Novena Prayers)

Novena Prayer

Exemplary mother of the Great Augustine, you perseveringly
pursued your wayward son…not with wild threats but with
prayerful cries to heaven. Intercede for all mothers in our day so
that they may learn to draw their children to God.
Teach us to remain close to all God’s children, even the prodigal
sons and daughters who have sadly gone astray.
Dear St. Monica, troubled wife and mother, many sorrows
pierced your heart during your lifetime. Yet, you never despaired
or lost faith. With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,
you prayed daily for the conversion of your beloved husband,
Patricius and your beloved son, Augustine.
Grant me that same fortitude, patience, and trust in the Lord. Intercede
for me, dear St. Monica, that God may favorably hear my
plea for (names of those you are praying for) and grant me the grace
to accept His will in all things, through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen

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.

http://www.stthomasaquinas.org/sites/default/files/pdflibrary/StMonicaNovena.pdf