St. Monica was probably born in Tagaste, Numidia (today’s Souk-Ahras, Algeria), Africa, in about 331. Though a Christian, she was married to a pagan, who was converted before his death (371). The couple had at least three children, and of these St. Augustine (see August 28) was the oldest. As any mother would be, she was interested in her children’s careers, but when she saw Augustine living a dissipated and dissolute life, her maternal heart ached. She wept for him and prayed daily for his conversion. After he left (383) Africa to teach in Rome and then in Milan, Monica followed him. In Milan, she witnessed Augustine’s conversion and baptism (387), and because her son was now determined to live a different manner of life, they decided to return to North Africa. At the Roman port of Ostia, just days before they were to sail, Monica became ill and died (387). Augustine paints a magnificent portrait of his mother in his Confessions. Her cult began to develop in the later Middle Ages, and it became popular when her relics were moved (1430) from Ostia to Rome. Her memorial is now appropriately celebrated on the day before that of her distinguished son. The opening prayer of today’s Mass speaks of the tears St. Monica shed in beseeching God to convert her son.
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