Birthplace: North Africa
Date of Birth and Death: 322-387
Feast Day: May 4th

Notable: Patroness of Wives and Mothers

Life: Monica was born in 322 into a Christian family in Tagaste in North Africa. She was selected as a bride to a pagan man and for many years had to endure personal indignities from him and his mother. She ignored all of that and instead, concentrated on practicing good works by giving to the poor and helping the sick.

She had three children the eldest of whom caused her much concern despite being a talented scholar. She prayed constantly that her husband and son join her in worship. eventually, her faith and kindness ere partially rewarded as her husband and mother in law converted to Christianity. Still, her son lead a disreputable life. She sought the help of her local bishop who encouraged her. Eventually, Monica turned to Bishop Ambrose of Italy who brought her son to God by appealing to his intelligence instead his emotions. The son became so strongly drawn to the faith that he himself was canonized as St. Augustine.

St. Monica did everything in her power to ensure that her son, St. Augustine, grew up to be a good decent man. While despairing at times, she realised that she could not do everything on her own and was not afraid to ask others for help.

Prayer:

O Lord who taught Monica to persevere for the good of her family, help me
to be a better parent to my children.
Help e to have patience with them when they misbehave and give me
the strength to guide them gently to the right path. Permit me always to
forgive their misdeeds and keep me from speaking harshly or punishing unwisely.
Please help me to be a beacon of goodness for them as they grow to adulthood
and to be a good example to them in all that I say and do.