What is st. Monica known for?
St. Monica (c. 332–387) was born in Tagaste, North Africa, to a Christian family. Married to the pagan Patricius, she endured years of marital discord and her husband’s temper with patient charity and steadfast prayer. When her son Augustine turned from the faith, Monica wept and fasted for his conversion, following him to Milan where she encountered St. Ambrose.
Through her tears and intercession, Augustine experienced a profound conversion, later becoming a Doctor of the Church. Monica’s unwavering faith, humility in suffering, and trusting surrender to God’s timing exemplify the power of a mother’s prayer. She died in Ostia, just after Augustine’s baptism.
Short Prayer:
O God, through the tears and prayers of St. Monica, you brought Augustine to Your grace. Grant to all who suffer in family trials the same faith and perseverance, that we may trust in Your loving providence and see Your mercy at work. Amen.
| Novena Begins: | August 18th |
| Feast Day: | August 27th |
Patron Saint of Married women; Difficult marriages; disappointing children; victims of adultery or unfaithfulness; victims of (verbal) abuse; and conversion of relatives
Day 1 – Saint Monica Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Exemplary Mother of the Great Augustine, You perseveringly pursued your wayward son Not with wild threats But with prayerful cries to heaven. Intercede for all mothers in our day So that they may learn To draw their children to God. Teach them how to remain Close to their children, Even the prodigal sons and daughters Who have sadly gone astray.
Dear St Monica, troubled wife and mother, Many sorrows pierced your heart During your lifetime. Yet you never despaired or lost faith. With confidence, persistence and profound faith, You prayed daily for the conversion Of your beloved husband, Patricius and your beloved son, Augustine. Grant me that same fortitude, Patience and trust in the Lord. Intercede for me, dear St. Monica, That God may favorably hear my plea for…
(Mention your request here…)
And grant me the grace To accept his will in all things, Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, In the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever.
Amen
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 2 – Saint Monica Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Exemplary Mother of the Great Augustine, You perseveringly pursued your wayward son Not with wild threats But with prayerful cries to heaven. Intercede for all mothers in our day So that they may learn To draw their children to God. Teach them how to remain Close to their children, Even the prodigal sons and daughters Who have sadly gone astray.
Dear St Monica, troubled wife and mother, Many sorrows pierced your heart During your lifetime. Yet you never despaired or lost faith. With confidence, persistence and profound faith, You prayed daily for the conversion Of your beloved husband, Patricius and your beloved son, Augustine. Grant me that same fortitude, Patience and trust in the Lord. Intercede for me, dear St. Monica, That God may favorably hear my plea for…
(Mention your request here…)
And grant me the grace To accept his will in all things, Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, In the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever.
Amen
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 3 – Saint Monica Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Exemplary Mother of the Great Augustine, You perseveringly pursued your wayward son Not with wild threats But with prayerful cries to heaven. Intercede for all mothers in our day So that they may learn To draw their children to God. Teach them how to remain Close to their children, Even the prodigal sons and daughters Who have sadly gone astray.
Dear St Monica, troubled wife and mother, Many sorrows pierced your heart During your lifetime. Yet you never despaired or lost faith. With confidence, persistence and profound faith, You prayed daily for the conversion Of your beloved husband, Patricius and your beloved son, Augustine. Grant me that same fortitude, Patience and trust in the Lord. Intercede for me, dear St. Monica, That God may favorably hear my plea for…
(Mention your request here…)
And grant me the grace To accept his will in all things, Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, In the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever.
Amen
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 4 – Saint Monica Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Exemplary Mother of the Great Augustine, You perseveringly pursued your wayward son Not with wild threats But with prayerful cries to heaven. Intercede for all mothers in our day So that they may learn To draw their children to God. Teach them how to remain Close to their children, Even the prodigal sons and daughters Who have sadly gone astray.
Dear St Monica, troubled wife and mother, Many sorrows pierced your heart During your lifetime. Yet you never despaired or lost faith. With confidence, persistence and profound faith, You prayed daily for the conversion Of your beloved husband, Patricius and your beloved son, Augustine. Grant me that same fortitude, Patience and trust in the Lord. Intercede for me, dear St. Monica, That God may favorably hear my plea for..
(Mention your request here…)
And grant me the grace To accept his will in all things, Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, In the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever.
Amen
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 5 – Saint Monica Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Exemplary Mother of the Great Augustine, You perseveringly pursued your wayward son Not with wild threats But with prayerful cries to heaven. Intercede for all mothers in our day So that they may learn To draw their children to God. Teach them how to remain Close to their children, Even the prodigal sons and daughters Who have sadly gone astray.
Dear St Monica, troubled wife and mother, Many sorrows pierced your heart During your lifetime. Yet you never despaired or lost faith. With confidence, persistence and profound faith, You prayed daily for the conversion Of your beloved husband, Patricius and your beloved son, Augustine. Grant me that same fortitude, Patience and trust in the Lord. Intercede for me, dear St. Monica, That God may favorably hear my plea for…
(Mention your request here…)
And grant me the grace To accept his will in all things, Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, In the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever.
Amen
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 6 – Saint Monica Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Exemplary Mother of the Great Augustine, You perseveringly pursued your wayward son Not with wild threats But with prayerful cries to heaven. Intercede for all mothers in our day So that they may learn To draw their children to God. Teach them how to remain Close to their children, Even the prodigal sons and daughters Who have sadly gone astray.
Dear St Monica, troubled wife and mother, Many sorrows pierced your heart During your lifetime. Yet you never despaired or lost faith. With confidence, persistence and profound faith, You prayed daily for the conversion Of your beloved husband, Patricius and your beloved son, Augustine. Grant me that same fortitude, Patience and trust in the Lord. Intercede for me, dear St. Monica, That God may favorably hear my plea for…
(Mention your request here…)
And grant me the grace To accept his will in all things, Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, In the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever.
Amen
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 7 – Saint Monica Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Exemplary Mother of the Great Augustine, You perseveringly pursued your wayward son Not with wild threats But with prayerful cries to heaven. Intercede for all mothers in our day So that they may learn To draw their children to God. Teach them how to remain Close to their children, Even the prodigal sons and daughters Who have sadly gone astray.
Dear St Monica, troubled wife and mother, Many sorrows pierced your heart During your lifetime. Yet you never despaired or lost faith. With confidence, persistence and profound faith, You prayed daily for the conversion Of your beloved husband, Patricius and your beloved son, Augustine. Grant me that same fortitude, Patience and trust in the Lord. Intercede for me, dear St. Monica, That God may favorably hear my plea for…
(Mention your request here…)
And grant me the grace To accept his will in all things, Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, In the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever.
Amen
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 8 – Saint Monica Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Exemplary Mother of the Great Augustine, You perseveringly pursued your wayward son Not with wild threats But with prayerful cries to heaven. Intercede for all mothers in our day So that they may learn To draw their children to God. Teach them how to remain Close to their children, Even the prodigal sons and daughters Who have sadly gone astray.
Dear St Monica, troubled wife and mother, Many sorrows pierced your heart During your lifetime. Yet you never despaired or lost faith. With confidence, persistence and profound faith, You prayed daily for the conversion Of your beloved husband, Patricius and your beloved son, Augustine. Grant me that same fortitude, Patience and trust in the Lord. Intercede for me, dear St. Monica, That God may favorably hear my plea for
(Mention your request here…)
And grant me the grace To accept his will in all things, Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, In the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever.
Amen
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 9 – Saint Monica Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Exemplary Mother of the Great Augustine, You perseveringly pursued your wayward son Not with wild threats But with prayerful cries to heaven. Intercede for all mothers in our day So that they may learn To draw their children to God. Teach them how to remain Close to their children, Even the prodigal sons and daughters Who have sadly gone astray.
Dear St Monica, troubled wife and mother, Many sorrows pierced your heart During your lifetime. Yet you never despaired or lost faith. With confidence, persistence and profound faith, You prayed daily for the conversion Of your beloved husband, Patricius and your beloved son, Augustine. Grant me that same fortitude, Patience and trust in the Lord. Intercede for me, dear St. Monica, That God may favorably hear my plea for…
(Mention your request here…)
And grant me the grace To accept his will in all things, Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, In the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever.
Amen
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
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