Monday, May 4

Golden Age · 331–387

Monica

Mother whose tears won Augustine's conversion

Monica was born to a Christian family in Tagaste in North Africa and given in marriage to Patricius, a pagan of difficult temper whom her patience and gentleness eventually brought to baptism. Her deepest sorrow was her brilliant son Augustine, who for years wandered through the Manichaean sect and a restless worldly life. She wept and prayed for him ceaselessly, following him from Africa to Rome and Milan; a bishop famously consoled her that 'the son of so many tears cannot perish.' In Milan, under the preaching of St Ambrose, her prayers were answered: Augustine was converted and baptized at Pascha in 387. That same year, as mother and son awaited ship at Ostia, they shared a celebrated conversation on eternal life, and days later she reposed in peace. She is honored as a model of persevering intercessory prayer and Christian motherhood.

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