Today begins the Novena to St. Monica. Some of you might be interested.

Some history first:

St. Monica was born into a Christian family in Tagaste, Algeria, across the Mediterranean Sea from Rome, in 332 AD. She married a pagan, a minor Roman government official named Patricius. Christians were few and far between in those days. The marriage was blessed with three children, the oldest and most famous was Augustine.
Patricius was not a model husband yet Monica prayed ceaselessly for his conversion. Her sweet piety, patience, and persistence paid off. One day, Patricius accepted baptism but he died a year after.
Her son Augustine was a constant concern for Monica. Brilliant and likable, Augustine followed the example of his father. He refused to accept baptism and lived a passionate life with his mistress. For years Monica prayed, fasted, and cried silently for Augustine.
God was listening. He heard and finally answered these prayers of this faithful mother. Augustine, abandoning his sinful ways, accepted baptism from St. Ambrose of Milan, on Easter Sunday, 387 AD.
Augustine's mother, St. Monica, died shortly after at the age of 55, secure in the knowledge that her son had heard God's call and her work on earth was finished.
St. Monica is the patroness of troubled parents, battered wives, despondent mothers, widows, and alcoholics. Her feast is celebrated on August 27.
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The Novena Prayer:

Exemplary Mother of the Great Augustine,
You perserveringly 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.

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,
That God may favorably hear my plea
For

[State your petition here.)

And grant me the grace
To accept his will in all things,
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God forever and ever.

Amen.

*the Novena prayer is said each day for the next 9 days, then it will be the feast day of St. Monica.