Feastday: August 27
Patron of Wives and Abuse Victims
St. Monica was married by arrangement to a pagan official in North Africa, who was much older than she, and although generous, was also violent tempered. His mother lived with them and was equally difficult, which proved a constant challenge to St. Monica. She had three children; Augustine, Navigius, and Perpetua. Through her patience and prayers, she was able to convert her husband and his mother to the Catholic faith in 370. Her husband died a year later. Perpetua and Navigius entered the religious life. St. Augustine was much more difficult, as she had to pray for him for 17 years, begging the prayers of priests. One priest consoled her by saying, "it is not possible that the son of so many tears should perish." This thought, coupled with a vision that she had received strengthened her. St. Augustine was baptized by St. Ambrose in 387. St. Monica died later that same year. St. Augustine went on to become a very holy man and a doctor of the Church thanks to the prayers of his mother and the grace of God.
We feel that St. Monica's virtues of hope and perseverance in prayer are qualities we hope to cultivate in our daughter.
Marie is not only in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, but also in honor of my Godmother and aunt, Marie. She wrote to me often in my life with words of love and encouragement. She constantly wrote of God's unconditional love. We hope we can demonstrate that unconditional love to our daughter.
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