Memorial of Saint Monica

Today's Mass Readings

In his Confessions, St. Augustine gives an account of a conversations he had with his mother Monica as her last days drew near. He writes: “… she said, “For my part, my son, I no longer find pleasure in anything that this life holds. What I am doing here still, or why I am still here, I do not know, for worldly hope has withered away for me. One thing only there was for which I desired to linger in this life: to see you a Catholic Christian before I died. And my God has granted this to me more lavishly than I could have hoped, letting me see even you spurning earthly happiness to be his servant. What am I still doing here?”” Today is the feast of St. Monica and this is what is fabulous about the saints in the church. No matter what the readings for the day, it applies to them because they strived to live lives that were pleasing to God. For instance, Paul’s words to the Thessalonians from today’s first reading is so apt for Monica relationship with her son Augustine. Paul writes:
“Night and day we pray… to remedy the deficiencies of your faith.
Now may God himself… make you increase
and abound in love for one another and for all,
and strengthen your hearts,
to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father
at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. Amen. (1 Thes 3:9-13)

In fact, it was prayer like this that saw Augustine turn away from his sin and become a saint himself. In her prayer, Monica was like the prudent servant in today’s gospel reading. She proved that she was a good steward by her exemplary Christian life in spite of some very challenging obstacles. She was married to Patritius, a pagan, who made her life miserable as did her mother-in-law. But, by her sweetness and patience, she began to work amongst the wives and mothers of her native town for she knew that they suffered as she did, and her words and example had a proportionate effect. Through sheer patience she was responsible for his conversion to Christianity before he died. The same holds for Augustine, who brought much sorrow to her by his sinful life. She even drove him away from her table for his heretical thoughts. But then inspired by a vision, he began to work toward his conversion. The rest is history.

What a great steward Monica was! Thus when time came for her to die she was totally ready for her Master.

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;
your prayers were answered.
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
(Mention your intention here.)
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.

- Fr. Satish Joseph