Saint Monica
The North African mother of Augustine, who died at Ostia in 387
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Layperson
- Life
- ~332 – ~387
- Era
- 4th century
- Feast
- 27 August
- Countries
- Algeria, Italy
Life story
Monica was born around 332 at Thagaste, in modern Algeria, into a Christian family. She married Patricius, a local official who followed the pagan religion, and had three children: Augustine, Navigius and a daughter. Most of what is known about her comes from Augustine's Confessions, especially Book Nine.
According to Augustine, she was patient in her marriage with a hot-tempered husband, and Patricius became a Christian near the end of his life, dying around 371. Monica was often anxious about her eldest son, who lived far from the faith and followed the Manichaeans for years. She followed him to Rome and Milan. In Milan she attended the preaching of bishop Ambrose, whom she respected.
In 387 Augustine was baptised in Milan. Mother and son then set out with friends to return to Africa. At Ostia, the port of Rome, Monica fell ill. She died there after nine days, aged about fifty-six, before they could embark. Augustine recorded his grief at her loss in the Confessions.
Her remains were later moved to Rome and are now venerated in the church of Sant'Agostino. Her feast is 27 August, the day before that of Augustine. Her story is told by her son with affection and candour; he credits her with long persistence and a lasting influence on his own life. Many Catholic associations of mothers take her as a model. She is remembered in the Church as an example of persistence within a family, and her tomb at Ostia was a place of devotion in the Middle Ages.
Works and witness
- Raised three children at Thagaste; Augustine was the eldest
- Followed Augustine to Rome and Milan
- Died at Ostia in 387 while waiting to sail for Africa
- Her life is recorded in Augustine's Confessions
Patron of
Mothers, Wives
Saints from the same country
References
- Augustine, Confessions (Book 9)
- Martyrologium Romanum
- Dicastery for the Causes of Saints – biographical profile
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.