St. Monica

St. Monica was born around 331 at Thagaste in Roman North Africa (in modern Algeria), and died in 387 at Ostia, the port of Rome. A devout Christian, she was given in marriage to a pagan named Patricius, a man of difficult temper whom she won over to the faith by her patience and prayer before his death. She was the mother of three children, the eldest of whom was Augustine, the future great bishop and Doctor of the Church.

She is remembered above all for the years of tears and unceasing prayer she offered for the conversion of her brilliant but wayward son, who for long strayed into error and worldly living. A bishop consoled her with the words that 'the child of so many tears' could not be lost, and her prayers were answered when Augustine was baptized in 387. Not long after, at Ostia, mother and son shared a famous mystical conversation about eternal life; she died shortly thereafter, content that her hopes were fulfilled. She is honored as patron of mothers and wives, her feast kept on 27 August, the day before her son's.