August 27th is the Feast Day of St. Monica, and August 28th her son – St. Augustine. With their mindset let us be a blessing for another not a burden.
For all who have left the Church in our families and communities, call upon the powerful intercessor – St. Monica! It is through her we learn not give up hope, be persistent in prayer, and do not hesitate to go to our Almighty God with our big asks.
Saint Monica prayed tirelessly for 17 years that her son, Augustine, would return to his faith – our loving Christ and the Church. Although he was raised Catholic and well knowing of a devout prayer life thanks to his mother, Augustine chose to turn away from God. Prioritizing everything else but his faith, he lived a selfish and sinful life, looking for immediate gratification.
It was St. Monica’s pastor that told her to take her grief and plead with God not her son. So that she did. She begged God to have mercy on her son. She prayed to have complete trust in God that His will be done, and Augustine would come back to the Real Presence of Christ in the Church and ultimately be with her in Heaven.
Not only did he return to embrace his Christian foundation, but he would also serve as the Bishop of Hippo, and be known by generations as St. Augustine one of the greatest saints of all time.
His prayers are among the most beautiful and relatable ever written, including this one of hope, echoing eloquently his own mother’s heart– For Light in Dark Times:
“God of our life, there are days when the burdens we carry chafe our shoulders and weigh us down; when the road seems dreary and endless, the skies gray and threatening; when our lives have no music in them, and our hearts are lonely, and our souls have lost their courage.
“Flood the path with light, run our eyes to where the skies are full of promise; tune our hearts to brave music; give us the sense of comradeship with heroes and saints of every age; and so, quicken our spirits that we may be able to encourage the souls of all who journey with us on the road of life, to your honor and glory.”
Like St. Monica may we not give up hope, but turn to God in all of our needs.
