St. Monica lived from the year 331-387 A.D., and is best known as the mother of the great theologian Augustine of Hippo. She was a Christian woman, married to a pagan, who struggled throughout her life to secure his conversion and that of her children. Monica’s husband was said to have been hot-tempered and prone to all kinds of vice and waywardness. Her son Augustine followed in his father’s footsteps. Depending on which version of the story you are reading, Monica was finally successful in persuading her husband and her son to embrace Christianity, either by her consistent prayer and good example or by her incessant weeping, cajoling, and pestering. She is the patron saint of married women and mothers (especially of those with difficult husbands or disappointing children), and is affectionately known by some as the “patron saint of nag.” Her feast day is August 27.

Questions for Reflection:

• Is there any relationship in your family that causes you frustration or pain?
• Can you hold that relationship in prayer and name the things about that person that you are grateful for?