August 27, St. Monica

Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!-- Psalm 90:14

Mass readings: 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13 / Matthew 24:42-51

A Saint for Mothers and Their Children

In my diocese of Raleigh, N.C., St. Monica (d. 387) is an icon for Catholics of African ancestry. St. Monica and her son, St. Augustine (whose feast the Church celebrates tomorrow), are in fact African: Monica gave birth to Augustine in what is today Algeria. More than that, she was a devoted mother.

Needless to say, St. Monica is the model of a Catholic mother for all of us: strong in patience, persevering in prayer and untiring in love for her child. (My Irish grandmother on my father's side would easily have identified with Monica.) Today many mothers, and their children, can find inspiration in this saint -- and mother of a saint -- and seek her intercession.

Prayer: St. Monica, God heard your prayers for Augustine. Pray for us!