Saint Monica- Memoria

Saint Monica (Memoria)

Today is the memoria of Saint Monica, the mother of Saint Augustine. She was a woman of deep faith outstanding in virtue and an example to Christian mothers as they persevere in prayers for the faith of their children. She is also an exemplary of the Christian perseverance and faith in the power of prayer. And this reminds me of many times I met with parents who were really worried about the faith of their children. Because of the depth of their Faith, you could see how terrified they were, and rightly so, for fear of losing their children to the world of unbelief. And I often say to them that their sincere prayers for their children cannot go unanswered. I am convinced of that when I remember great Saints and mother's like Saint Monica, who stormed and are storming heaven with their prayers, as it were, reached and are reading down to the depths and heights to protect and rescue their children from the world of unbelief. 

She was Born into a Christian family at Thagaste in Africa. She married young (to Patricius) and one of her children was Saint Augustine who had an incredible intellect as we could see from his works. But St Augustine had a rough beginning like some of us. He lived what we could call an immoral lifestyle. In his search for knowledge he drifted with heretical religious groups. 

However, the more he drifted away, the more Saint Monica the mother intensified her prayer. It is said that, for so many years, "with many tears she prayed unceasingly to God for his conversion. And her prayer was answered shortly before her death, Saint Augustine was baptised in 387. As you would have known from your life experiences, prayer being an act of faith, we often do not see or feel the effects of our prayers immediately. Hence, the word of God tells us to pray without ceasing, in and out of season. If we do not give up on our prayers, the time for divine answers will come and we will be glad we waited in prayers. As we remain in prayer, through the power of the Holy Spirit, the lord will keep our souls in peace  as today's responsorial psalm prays, keep my soul in peace before you o lord. 

Through her unceasing prayers with tears day and night, Saint Monica, as it were raised from death of unbelief her son now Saint Augustine. And this is one of the things the church wants us to see in today's celebration. Hence, today's Gospel gives account of the Widow of Nain whose only son had died and was being carried away to be buried. Her pains and sorrows moved the heart of the Jesus. And the scripture said that the Lord felt sorry for her and said to her, do not cry. Then Jesus went straight up and said to her dead son, young man, I tell you get up. The dead man sat up and began to talk and Jesus gave him to his mother. Everyone was filled with awe and praised God. Doesn't this remind of the raising of Lazarus from the dead where Jesus did not only feel sorry but wept. In that passage you will remember that Jesus said to Martha, if you believe you will see the salvation of the lord. 

Saint Monica believed in the power of prayer. Besides, a fervent prayer of the righteous avails much. Saint Monica believe this and through her prayer, the son Augustine who had drifted away to all manner of wrong teachings were brought back to the truth of the gospel. With her prayer the purpose of God in her son’s life was accomplished. 

So, for parents and guardians, you may be worried that the children you raised in the truth are now drifting away. It may as well be that you are simply worried that they are getting to that age where you feel that in the course of making their personal decision to follow Christ that they might abandon the faith. As humans we worry, but worry is not the key but rather your unceasing fervent prayer. As a mother or father, you occupy quite an important spiritual position in the life of your children whatever age they may be. Like Saint Monica, with prayers, constantly standing at the gate before God, you will see that you don't only protect your children physically but even more so spiritually and this we see in the life of Saint Monica. 

So, do not despair or be discouraged, but rise up the wings of prayer. Perhaps you are even tired of praying. Just hang on in there in trust lifting your hearts to him and the lord will strengthen you again for he knows and sees how we feel. If we believe we will see the salvation of the lord upon our lives,  our children and those entrusted to us. 

Let us pray

Eternal Father, who mercifully accepted the motherly tears of Saint Monica for the conversion of her son Augustine, grant us, through her intercession, the grace of conversion and your pardon for ourselves and for those we prayer for. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
The lord be with you
May almighty God bless you, the father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
Go in the peace of Christ.