A Mother’s Devotion
St. Monica of Hippo has been long honored by the Church, remembered for her piety and for being the mother of St. Augustine of Hippo. Dealt a difficult life surrounded by unbelievers, Monica lived a life of unwavering faith, witnessing to those around her and always dedicating herself to confessing God’s love to those closest to her.
Born in 331 A.D. in Tagaste, St. Monica became a Christian at a young age. However, despite her convictions, her parents gave her away in marriage to a pagan, Patricius. Monica spent much of her married life witnessing to her husband (as well as her mother-in-law, who lived with them), demonstrating Christ’s love to him. Even with their differences, Patricius always respected her and took notice of her behaviors. Monica’s prayers and dedication to a Christian life are said to have finally won them over to Christianity, and Patricius was baptized in 370. Just a year later he died and left her a widow.
However, even without her husband she still had children under her care to whom she continued to teach the faith. Her three children were said not to be religious initially, understandably bothering St. Monica. Her oldest son, Augustine, was famously living a life of debauchery at the time of his father’s death. While a rhetoric student in Carthage, it was no secret that Augustine’s habits were outright immoral, with him fathering a child out of wedlock and spending much of his free time in licentiousness and drunkenness.
Monica reportedly didn’t allow Augustine to eat or sleep in her house during this time of disobedience; however, she stayed close to him, following him wherever he went to try to witness him. Monica had a dream that he would return to the faith and vowed to herself that she wouldn’t stray far from him until he did, praying and fasting almost continually.
Throughout Augustine’s twenties Monica followed him to Rome and Milan, continually praying for God to change his heart. It was in Milan that Augustine finally came to the faith, influenced by his relationship with Archbishop Ambrose, who eventually baptized him in 387. It was only then that Monica desired to rest after a long life of grief, strife, and devout caretaking. She and Augustine set out to travel back home. However, during their journey she became ill and reportedly suffered for nine days before dying on May 4 in Ostia, Italy.
Because of her dedication to her vocation as a mother and her love for Augustine, the great Father of the Church, Christians have long transferred her commemoration to August 27th, which is the day before her son’s death day on August 28th.
A Brief History
Much of what we know about St. Monica comes from Augustine’s Confessions, a work which was inspired by his grief over her passing. It is here that Augustine wrote down the words she is said to have told him when she realized death was near: “Son, nothing in this world now affords me delight. I do not know what there is now left for me to do or why I am still here, all my hopes in this world being now fulfilled.”
Monica is especially looked on by the Church as a patient wife and mother, a woman who dedicated herself unceasingly to her vocations and the care of her husband, children, and extended relatives. She continues to be a wonderful example to Christians today of holding fast to the faith and not being discouraged by the lives of those around her who did not yet believe. Thus she is often called the patron saint of mothers and patience. She also serves as a beacon of encouragement for women and a reminder of their importance within God’s story of salvation. There is no doubt she played a pivotal role in the spiritual formation of one of the most brilliant philosophers, theologians, and saints of all time—St. Augustine.
Likewise, St. Monica’s life tells us of the power of prayer and reliance on God’s promises. Just like the fact that all Christians could learn from more engagement with St. Augustine and his works, we could certainly all benefit from more education on and reflection upon this great female saint. Even thousands of years later St. Monica can encourage us in our walk with God and our duties at home and in society— August 27th is just one day out of many when we can learn from her and her life’s story.
Collect
Hear us, O God, our Savior: so that we, who rejoice in the feast of Blessed Monica, may learn from her the spirit of loving devotion; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost: ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Readings
First Reading
Gospel
Resources
Issues, Etc. interview with the Rev. Dr. Joel Elowsky on Monica and Augustine
Issues, Etc. interview with the Rev. Heath Curtis on Monica, the Mother of St. Augustine
Issues, Etc. interview with the Rev. Dr. Thomas Von Hagel on Saint Augustine & His Mother Monica
Propers found in Daily Divine Service Book: A Lutheran Daily Missal, edited by the Rev. Heath Curtis
References:
1. Weedon, William. Celebrating the Saints. Concordia Publishing House. 2016.
2. Treasury of Daily Prayer. Concordia Publishing House. 2008.
Images:
1. Saint Monica, Schelte Adamsz Bolswert, 1596 – 1659, The Netherlands.
2. Saint Augustine and Saint Monica, Gioacchino Asseretoca, 17th Century, Italy.
3. St. Monica, Luis Tristán, 1616, Spain.
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[…] devoted wife and mother to the end, St. Monica provides us Christians a wonderful image of the importance of prayer for our children and those in […]