Or: On the 2nd Day of Two Great Feasts
From In Conversation with God (Vol. VII):
The example of St. Monica remained engraved on the soul of St. Augustine so that years later, perhaps recalling his mother, he exhorted: Do everything in your power to obtain the salvation of those in your family.
And from Pope John Paul II:
People said of St. Monica that she was ‘twice mother of St. Augustine’, since she not only gave him birth, but also won for him the Catholic faith and a Christian life. Thus, all Christian parents are called to be procreators of their children twice over—as far as their natural life is concerned, and with respect to their spiritual vitality in Christ (Address, 10 March 1989).
Ss. Monica and Augustine, pray for us! The spiritual needs in our families are many. Please intercede for us so that we may know when to speak and when to remain silent. Help us to pray without ceasing for those members of our family who have fallen away; show us how to be a loving witness to the beautiful truths of our Catholic faith.
Amen.
Ad Jesum per Mariam,
Amen!
We attend St. Monica’s parish and I often ponder on just how many of us can relate to how she felt having a loved one not on the same journey. St. Monica, pray for us!
Amen!
I have long had an affection for St. Augustine, and now as a wife and mother a special devotion to St. Monica…plus I am blessed to call her feast day my birthday! Your sentiments and prayer are lovely; I too must add my hearty (and pleading) Amen!