This devotion is for the return of lapsed Catholics to the Sacraments, for conversion of our children & relatives, for difficult marriages, & for alcoholics.
For any questions, please contact Rita at: [email protected].
Saint Monica came into the world in the year 322. As soon as she was old enough she was married to Patricius, a pagan citizen of Tagaste. Although Patricius was a man of high temper, she bore all trials with great patience. Her example and gentle conduct exercised such an influence over him that he was finally converted to Christianity. He died the year after his baptism. The great cross of her life was the conduct of her son, Augustine, who was seventeen years of age when his father died in 371. His mother prayed long and fervently for his conversion. When he left her in Africa to go to Italy, she followed him and found him at Milan, where the words of Saint Ambrose had already convinced him of the falsehood of Manichean doctrines, which he abandoned without being entirely converted. After 17 years of prayer, in August 386, Saint Monica had the long-coveted happiness of seeing her son return to God. He was baptized by Saint Ambrose on Easter eve the following year and soon after, with his mother and some friends, he set out for Africa. But Saint Monica's work was done; her son was converted; the sinner had become the Saint. She fell sick on the road and died at Ostia, from where they were to embark, in 387.
Born: 322 in Tagaste (Souk Ahrus), Roman North Africa (modern Algeria)
Died: 387 in Ostia, Italy, Roman Empire
Feast Day: August 27
St. Monica’s example converted her husband and mother-in-law.
She prayed for St. Augustine for 17 years before his conversion.
She felt discouraged, but never gave up
She knew her purpose in life
Dear St. Monica, once the sorrowing mother of a wayward son, please present our novena petitions before God in whose presence you stand. Remember, dear St. Monica, the joy that flooded your heart when Augustine, the son of your prayers and tears, turned his life over to the Lord. Obtain for us, if it be His holy will, the graces we request through your intercessory power, that we may experience the happiness of answered prayer. Amen.
Examples of St. Monica Chaplets that a parishioner made.
“O holy Monica, by your burning tears and unceasing prayers, you did save your son from eternal damnation. Obtain for us the grace to comprehend what is most conductive to the salvation of our children, so that we may effectively restrain them from the way of sin and lead them by that of virtue and piety to heaven!”
On the pendant bead, Pray: Our Father
On the second pendant bead, pray:
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful,
Grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
1. I join my tears to yours; against the spirit of Despair, toward the spirit of Hope.
St. Monica, pray for me (us) in the Holy Name of Jesus! 4 Hail Marys...
2. I join my tears to yours; against the spirit of Anger, toward the spirit of Love.
St. Monica, pray for me (us) in the Holy Name of Jesus! 4 Hail Marys...
3. I join my tears to yours; against the spirit of Blame, toward the spirit of Forgiveness.
St. Monica, pray for me (us) in the Holy Name of Jesus! 4 Hail Marys...
St. Monica, pray for me (us) in the Holy Name of Jesus! 4 Hail Marys…
5. I join my tears to yours; against the spirit of Doubt, towards the spirit of Faith.
St. Monica, pray for me (us) in the Holy Name of Jesus! 4 Hail Marys…
6. I join my tears to yours; against the spirit of Fear, toward the spirit of Peace.
St. Monica, pray for me (us) in the Holy Name of Jesus! 4 Hail Marys…
Returning to pendant, on the first bead pray:
“St. Monica, Exemplary mother of the great St. 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.”
On the next pendant bead, pray:
“O great St. Augustine, take our children under your protection! To our efforts in their behalf, join your intercession for them with God. Exert all your influence and with the compassion of your loving heart, intercede with the Most Holy Trinity for them. Permit not that our children, sanctified in the waters of baptism, should through mortal sin be banished from the presence of God and suffer eternal punishment.”
On the medal:
“Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Eternal Father, have mercy on us and our children! Lord, graciously hear us! Amen.”