Saint Monica

Although she was a Christian, her parents gave Monica in marriage to a pagan named Patricius, who lived in her hometown of Tagaste in North Africa. Patricius had a violent temper and was unfaithful to Monica. In addition, Monica and Patricius shared their home with his cantankerous mother. Monica’s prayers and example finally led both her husband and mother-in-law to Christianity. Her husband died one year after his baptism.

Monica followed Augustine to Rome and then Milan. In Milan, Augustine began his conversion, guided by the bishop, Saint Ambrose, who also became Monica’s spiritual director. After his baptism in 387, Augustine and Monica left for Africa. Shortly after, Monica told him, “Son, nothing in this world now affords me delight. I do not know what there is now left for me to do or why I am still here, all my hopes in this world being now fulfilled.” She soon became ill and died nine days later. Saint Monica is a model of patience.