9-day novena to St Joseph | Day 3
St Monica's 9-day novena starts today
Photo by Laura Peruchi on Unsplash
St. Monica was a 4th-century North African Christian best known for her fierce, persistent hope for the conversion of her brilliant but sinful son, St. Augustine.
- Born in Tagaste to a Berber family, she endured a volatile marriage to a man whose temper and infidelity, she met with patience.
- Her son Augustine was ambitious, proud and hedonistic; despite her years of strategic and patient love. She followed him across continents, appealing to Bishop St Ambrose. She refused to give up, even when Augustine mocked her faith.
- Her perseverance culminated in Augustine’s dramatic conversion and baptism in Milan in 387 AD. She died in nearby Ostia, needing no grand burial or transport home—asking only that he remember her at the altar.
Today she stands as the patron saint of persevering parents, disciplined prayer, emotional endurance and unwavering maternal devotion.
Novena to St Monica
Her novena is repeated for nine days. It is prayed for any intention, especially for wayward children. It starts today and ends on her feast day.
- St Monica is the patron saint of alcoholics, difficult marriages/domestic violence, patience and of mothers with wayward offspring.
- To add warmth and devotion, her novena was set to meter below, see link for original prayer.
St Monica's feast day is August 27. St Augustine's feast day is August 28. St Monica and Augustine, pray for us!
9-Day Novena to St Monica
Dear St. Monica, mother true, you wept for he, who ran from you.
In every worry, fear, and ache, you trusted God through sufferings great.
In pain and sorrow, night and day; you clung to God and chose to pray.
Help us follow your courage strong, to avoid all sin and flee from wrong.
Pray we learn your faith so true; and live for God in all we do.
(Mention intentions here. Please pray for all sinners.)
By grace divine and prayer strong, Augustine turned from doing wrong.
He rose, through Jesus’ guiding light & Ambrose’ aid to esteemed heights.
Your steadfast prayer, your faithful plea, brought you both to eternity.
Carry our needs to God above, with all your fervor, faith and love.
Help us pray with tireless care; for beloved souls in disrepair.
Our Father Hail Mary Glory be
Source:
Novena to Saint Monica | My Catholic Life! (set to meter)
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