St. Monica (331-387), born in present-day Algeria, was a wife and mother. She prayed without ceasing for the conversion of her husband Patricius and her son Augustine. Both of her prayers were answered before her death. St. Augustine of Hippo became a great bishop and is a Doctor of the Church (see definition of “Doctor of the Church”)! Saint Monica is the patron saint of mothers and of difficult marriages.
The Vocation of Wives and Mothers
“Christian wife! Follow the footsteps of the ideal of all womanhood, the Blessed Mother of God; in joy and sorrow, she will be your advocate at the throne of her Son” (Saint John Vianney).
“In the family women have the opportunity and responsibility to transmit the faith in the early training of their children. They are particularly responsible for the joyful task of leading them to discover the supernatural world. The deep communion uniting her with them allows her to guide them effectively to Christ” (Pope Saint John Paul II).
These St. Monica prayers could be prayed as a novena prayer to St. Monica (for nine consecutive days). St. Monica, pray for all mothers!
Prayers to St. Monica
Saint 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. Amen.
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, for (mention your petition here), and that I may have the grace to accept His will in all things, Amen.
Litany of Saint Monica
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven,
have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,
have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, conceived without stain of original sin,
pray for us and for our children.
Holy Mary, glorious Mother of Jesus Christ,
pray for us and for our children.
St. Monica,
pray for us and for our children.
Model of wives,
pray for us and for our children.
You who converted your unbelieving husband, Mother of St. Augustine,
pray for us and for our children.
Strict and prudent teacher, guardian of your son in all his ways,
pray for us and for our children.
You who carefully watched over his conduct,
pray for us and for our children.
You who were sorely distressed at his erring from the right,
pray for us and for our children.
You who were untiring in your petitions for his soul’s safety,
pray for us and for our children.
You who still hoped on amid the bitterness of your heart and your floods of tears,
pray for us and for our children.
You who were filled with consolation upon his return to God,
pray for us and for our children.
You who died calmly after faithfully fulfilling your duties,
pray for us and for our children.
You who are the prayerful intercessor of all mothers who pray and weep as you did,
pray for us and for our children.
Preserve the innocence of our children,
we beseech you, St. Monica.
Protect them against the deceits of evil men,
we beseech you, St. Monica.
Protect them from the dangers of bad example,
we beseech you, St. Monica.
Watch over the movements of grace in their hearts, let the Christian virtues strike deep root in their hearts and bear much fruit,
we beseech you, St. Monica.
Redouble your intercession for youth approaching manhood,
we beseech you, St. Monica.
Obtain for all in mortal sin true contrition and perfect conversion,
we beseech you, St. Monica.
Obtain for all mothers the help to fulfill their duties steadily and perseveringly,
we beseech you, St. Monica.
Commend all mothers to the protection of the ever-blessed Virgin Mother of Our Lord,
we beseech you, St. Monica.
St. Augustine, holy son of a saintly mother,
pray for us and for our children.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Lord.
Pray for us, O holy St. Monica,
That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.
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