Yesterday (technically) was the feast of St. Monica. Today is the Feast of St. Augustine. This is one of my favorite feasts for two reasons. First, I love Augustine because he gives so much hope to so many wayward guys. They identify with his errancy and they identify with his desire, taking close to their hearts his words: "My heart was restless, until it rest in you, O Lord."
Second, I love Monica because she gives hope to so many mothers whose sons have abandoned the faith of their birth. I have known countless women whose multitude of rosaries are offered for the conversion of their children. Monica to them is not only an inspiration to keep praying and suggesting, but she offers them hope and consolation in the fact that her prayers for her son did not go unanswered.
My favorite story of this pair (besides the Vision at Ostia in the Confessions) is this:
Although his conversion was not to take place for nine long years, Monica did not lose faith. She continually fasted, prayed, and wept on his behalf. She implored the local bishop for help in winning him over, and he counseled her to be patient, saying, "God's time will come." Monica persisted in importuning him, and the bishop uttered the words which have often been quoted: "Go now, I beg you; it is not possible that the son of so many tears should perish."
What more consoling words could a mother hear?
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