Many Years, Countless Tears… But Joy Comes With The Morning.

Tapestry of Saint Monica of Hippo, by John Nava (b.1947).

For many, many years Saint Monica of Hippo wept during her ceaselessly tireless prayers for her husband Patricius – a pagan whom lived in her hometown of Tagast in North Africa, to whom her parents gave her in marriage, even though she was a Christian – their son Augustine, and her mother-in-law who lived with them, to become Christians. Patricius was known for his violent temper and licentiousness, while Monica’s mother-in-law was similarly ornery and cantankerous. Her dedication and devotion to the Almighty and her Christian values have earned her the title of Patroness of Married Women, Alcoholics, Difficult Marriages, Disappointing Children, and Victims of Unfaithfulness and Verbal Abuse. Despite her sorrow and grief over the path her son chose early in his life, her wholeheartedness and persistence in demonstration of loving-kindness, mercy, and earnest prayer proved true when her husband (who died in 371, one year after his baptism), their eldest-of-three children Augustine, and her mother-in-law all became Christian. Never underestimate the power of prayer.