One of my favorite churches in Rome is the Basilica of St. Augustine, tucked away just past Piazza Navona. One of the reasons I have such a fondness for it out of the hundreds of churches in the city is that the mother of St. Augustine, St. Monica, is buried there. While studying in Rome I would often go to her tomb to pray, especially for my own mother, remembering the perseverance in prayer and witness of this great saint.

St. Monica gives us an example of how to lead others, especially those in our family, to Christ. Her dedication to prayer led not only to the conversion of her son Augustine but to her husband’s conversion as well. As a priest I’m often asked how parents can help their loved ones grow in their faith, or in some cases return to the Faith. There can be a great deal of suffering when someone we love has strayed from the Faith. St. Monica knew that suffering well, which is precisely what makes her such a powerful intercessor. Rather than trying to win people over solely with the strength of our arguments, we are called to pray for those we love with the same passion as St. Monica.

It is not always easy to relinquish control over a situation, especially when it has to do with someone we love. But when we pray, we are not surrendering. Rather, we are turning to the one who loves our family even more than we do. In His great love, we know that Christ desires to draw all things to himself. This can be a great relief for us, recognizing that we don’t have to do it on our own.

Another important lesson we can learn from St. Monica is the power of our witness. Through her own devotion to Christ and His Church, St. Monica demonstrated the attractiveness of Christianity. We, too, are called to be witnesses — to witness to Christ in our daily lives both in big and small ways. We do this not only by walking the walk and talking the talk, but by demonstrating the joy and freedom that comes from a life lived with Christ.

As we reflect on the example of St. Monica, we should also seek her intercession. The beauty of the Communion of Saints is that we are not alone. St. Monica had the same desire to lead those she loved to Christ as we do. Let us ask St. Monica to intercede for our families, that through our witness the Lord would raise up great saints. St. Monica, pray for us!

Prayer to St. Monica

Dear Saint Monica,

You were once the mournful mother of a prodigal son. Your faithfulness to prayer brought you and your son so close to God that you are now with him in eternity. By your intercession and God’s grace, your son St. Augustine became a great and venerable Saint of the Church. Please take my request to God with the same fervor and persistence with which you prayed for your own son.

With your needs, worries and anxieties, you threw yourself on the mercy and providence of God. Through sorrow and pain, you constantly devoted yourself to God. Pray for me, that I might join you in such a deep faith in God’s goodness and mercy.

Above all, dear Saint Monica, pray for me, that I may, like your son, turn from my sin and become a great saint for the glory of God. 

Amen.

Source: www.praymorenovenas.com