About SAINT MONICA

Patron Saint of Mothers

Saint Monica, mother of St. Augustine, was born in North Africa in the year 332. She grew up in a Christian family and learned to pray and trust God from an early age.

In his Confessions, St. Augustine shares a story about his mother and her taste for wine. Apparently, as a little girl, Monica would sip wine when she was asked to retrieve it from the cellar for her parents. But when a servant girl caller her out on her secret habit, she quit. The discipline Monica showed would guide her future dedication to a life of prayer and faith.

Later, Monica was married to Patritius, a pagan with a hot temper. Her husband's mother also lived in the home, and she didn't make Monica's life any easier. Despite the challenges she faced daily, Monica bore them with patience, love, and unwavering faith.

Monica deeply believed in the power of prayer. She prayed daily for her family, and her example touched the people around her. In time, her prayers helped bring her mother-in-law and husband to the Faith.

Her greatest concern was her oldest son, Augustine. For many years, he turned away from God. At first, Monica did not even let him live or eat at home. But after experiencing a vision that her son would return to the Faith, she drew close to him once again. She never stopped praying and fasting for him. At Easter in 387, her prayers were answered. Augustine was baptized.

Saint Monica's life reminds us that God hears our prayers and sees our tears. Her example shows that patience and love can help the Lord change hearts.

Saint Monica is the patron saint of mothers, wives, alcoholics and conversion.

 Here are some amazing facts about our incredible patron saint that are sure to inspire you.

 1) St. Monica’s example converted her husband and mother-in-law. St. Monica’s husband, Patritius, and his mother didn’t believe in Jesus and had violent tempers. St. Monica was so patient and kind, that her example eventually led to their conversions to Christianity.

2) She prayed for St. Augustine for 17 years before his conversion. St. Monica’s son, St. Augustine of Hippo, lived a life of selfish sinfulness. He wouldn’t listen to his mother for years, but she continued to love, pray and nurture him throughout his wayward time and in the end he came to love Jesus.

3) She felt discouraged, but never gave up. St. Monica cried many times over her son’s bad lifestyle, but she never gave up. A local bishop told her that “God’s time will come.” He added, “Go now, I beg you; it is not possible that the son of so many tears should perish.”

4) She is the patron saint of wives, mothers, conversions, alcoholics and abuse victims. St. Monica is a great example of faith and hope. God’s grace is infinite, and he will never abandon us, even in the hardest of times.

St. Monica followed her son Augustine across the Mediterranean from Africa, seeking a new life in Italy. We should pray to her to watch over all the refugees today, who are making the same journey fleeing conflict and oppression.