Sunday August 24th. 2008
Our knowledge of St. Monica comes almost entirely
from the writings of her much-loved son, the great Doctor of the Church, St. Augustine of Hippo. His relationship with his mother was a close one, especially during Monica's last years. In one of his early books, called Confessions, he gives us many details of her life, and expresses his gratitude for her devotion in moving terms.
from the writings of her much-loved son, the great Doctor of the Church, St. Augustine of Hippo. His relationship with his mother was a close one, especially during Monica's last years. In one of his early books, called Confessions, he gives us many details of her life, and expresses his gratitude for her devotion in moving terms.
Monica was born about the year 332 in Tagaste, North Africa, of a Christian family of some substance. As soon as Monica had reached marriageable age, her parents found a husband for her, the pagan Patricius. He was a man of violent temper and their home could scarcely have been a happy one. Monica endured his outbursts with the utmost patience, although he was critical of Christians and their practices. The daily example of her gentleness and kindness finally had its rewards, and a year before his death, which occurred· when Augustine was seventeen, Patricius
accepted his wife's faith. Monica and Patricius had three children, Navigius, who seems to have been an exemplary son, Augustine, and Perpetua, a daughter, who became a religious. Augustine, the more brilliant of the sons, was sent to Carthage, so that he might develop his talents and become a man of culture. He took to learning naturally but he also spent time in youthful carousing. This caused his mother great anguish, and when he returned home, she disapproved so strongly both of his loose living and his interest in the popular heresy of Manichaeism that she refused at first to allow him to live at home. She relented only after having seen a vision. One day as she was weeping over his behaviour, a figure appeared and asked her the cause of her grief. She told him her sorrow for her son, and a voice said her to dry her tears; then she heard the words, "Your son is with you." Monica related this story to Augustine, and he replied that they might easily be together if she gave up her faith, for that was the main obstacle keeping them apart. Quickly she retorted, "He did not say I was with you: he said that you were with me." Augustine was impressed by the quick answer and never forgot it. Although his conversion was not to take place for nine long years, Monica did not lose faith. She continually fasted, prayed, and wept on his behalf. She implored the local bishop for help in winning him over, and he gently told her to be patient, saying, "God's time will come." Monica persisted in seeking his help, and the bishop spoke these words which have often been quoted: "Go now, I beg you; it is not possible that the son of so many tears should perish. "
Augustine was twenty-nine and a successful teacher when he decided to go to Rome. Monica opposed the move, fearing that his conversion would be indefinitely postponed. Her son went on with his plan, and set off with his young mistress and little son Adeodatus for the seaport. His mother followed him there, and when he saw that she intended to accompany him, he outwitted her He embarked while she was spending the night praying in a church. Although this grieved her deeply, Monica was still not discouraged about her wayward son, for on reaching Rome, she learned that her son had gone to Milan. There he had come under the influence of the great Bishop, St. Ambrose. When his mother finally found him in the northern city, he had given up Manichaeism, although he was not yet a Christian. Monica's friendship with Ambrose became very close, and he treated her with kindness. In time, she became a great friend of the saint, and he had the utmost regard for her because of her holiness. »»» »»»
Augustine was twenty-nine and a successful teacher when he decided to go to Rome. Monica opposed the move, fearing that his conversion would be indefinitely postponed. Her son went on with his plan, and set off with his young mistress and little son Adeodatus for the seaport. His mother followed him there, and when he saw that she intended to accompany him, he outwitted her He embarked while she was spending the night praying in a church. Although this grieved her deeply, Monica was still not discouraged about her wayward son, for on reaching Rome, she learned that her son had gone to Milan. There he had come under the influence of the great Bishop, St. Ambrose. When his mother finally found him in the northern city, he had given up Manichaeism, although he was not yet a Christian. Monica's friendship with Ambrose became very close, and he treated her with kindness. In time, she became a great friend of the saint, and he had the utmost regard for her because of her holiness. »»» »»»
