St Monica

Patron Saint of mothers, wives, difficult marriages, wayward children, conversion.

Feast Day: August 27th

Layperson

Tagaste (present-day Souk Ahras, Algeria)

Public Domain: Saint Monica. Gouache. via Wellcome Collection.

Feast Day: August 27th

Layperson

Tagaste (present-day Souk Ahras, Algeria)

About

St. Monica (c. 331–387) was a Christian woman from North Africa, best remembered as the mother of St. Augustine of Hippo. She lived much of her life in Tagaste (modern-day Algeria) and later in Ostia, Italy. Married to a pagan named Patricius, Monica endured years of hardship in her family life, yet remained steadfast in her faith. She prayed fervently for her husband’s conversion and especially for her son Augustine, who lived a wayward life before embracing Christianity. Her tears and perseverance bore fruit—both her husband and her mother-in-law converted, and Augustine went on to become one of the greatest Doctors of the Church. See Saint Monica Novena PDF.

Legacy

St. Monica’s enduring patience and constant prayer earned her the title “Mother of Tears.” She is a model for Christian parents who pray for their children’s faith, teaching that God works through persistence and trust. Her story shows how intercession, sacrifice, and faithful witness can transform lives. The Basilica of St. Augustine in Rome houses her tomb, which has become a place of pilgrimage for those seeking strength in family struggles.

“Nothing is far from God.” — St. Monica