Feast: August 27

St Monica was born in A.D. 331 of Catholic parents in Tagaste, Numidia, Roman Africa (modern Souk-Ahras, Algeria). She was probably of indigenous African stock. She married a pagan named Patricius, a small landowner in Tagaste and an official of the local government. They had three children:(St.) Augustine, Navigus and Perpetua. Since the Sacrament of Baptism forgives all sins, the custom of the African Church at that time was to defer Baptism until just before death; so Monica's children were not baptized as infants. Navigus married and had a family, while Perpetua became a Nun. With the help of God Monica faced and overcame many difficulties. Patricius was unfaithful and abusive. Augustine fell away from the Church when he went off to college at Carthage at age 17 (370), led a wayward life, embraced Manichaeism (a dualistic religion, 372-383), dabbled in other philosophies, and had a mistress who bore him an illegitimate son named Adeodatus (372). St Monica had her own struggles with alcohol--we would probably call her a recovering alcoholic.

After years of prayer and motherly pursuit, Monica lived to see the power of the Lord bring her family through these and other difficulties. Patricius and his mother converted in 370 (he died in 371). Augustine moved to Rome secretly in 383; he did not tell his mother lest she try to prevent the move. She found out and later that year traveled to Rome herself and moved in with Augustine, his mistress and Adeodatus. In 385 they moved to Milan. Monica tried amid many tears and with much motherly begging to convert him from his dissolute lifestyle. Her prayers were answered when Augustine sent his unfortunate mistress back to Africa (385) minus their 13 year old son. Augustine began to take instructions in the faith from (St.) Ambrose in September,386. Monica, Augustine, Adeodatus, Navigus and other associates moved into at a country house at Casiciacum near Milan while Augustine was preparing for Baptism. After a few further crises (including a return visit of the mistress), Augustine and Adeodatus were baptized at the Easter vigil (April 24, 387). Augustine eventually become a priest, bishop and indeed one of the greatest theologians in all of Church history. On a humorous note, the Spanish explorers in Southern California found a rock spring that dripped ceaselessly. Remembering Monica's constant tears for her husband and son, they called this dribbling spring and the town they founded nearby, Santa Monica.

Following Augustine’s baptism, Monica prepared to return home to Africa, but she died of a short illness in Ostia (the port of Rome) in November of 387, soon after they had arrived there intending to catch a ship to take her home. Augustine was with her when she died. His version of the events is found in his Confessions, Book IX, chapters 8-13.

This Information Came From http://www.saintmonicaparish.com/