St. Monica - Our Patroness

Feast Day - August 27

St. Monica is well known for her deep devotion to God and fervent prayers for those who have strayed from the faith. Most notably are the unceasing prayers she said for the conversion of her wayward son Augustine. After years of prayers, Augustine was baptized and devoted himself to God, becoming a great theologian and one of the greatest Doctors of the Church.

St. Monica is primarily the patron saint of mothers, especially those with wayward children or children who have left the faith. She is also the patron saint of married women, victims of abuse and adultery, and alcoholics.

At St. Monica, we invite you to join us for the St. Monica Novena from August 19-August 27. We will gather in the church at 6pm each night to pray Vespers and the St. Monica Novena. This novena can be prayed for any intention, especially for wayward children.

If you are unable to join us at the church, you can pray the Novena below at home.

St. Monica Novena

Priest: Exemplary Mother of the Great Saint Augustine,

All: You perseveringly 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 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.

Litany of Tears

Lord, have mercy on us.
R. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
R. Christ, graciously hear us.

God, the Father of Heaven,
R. Have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,
R. Have mercy...
God the Holy Spirit, R.
Holy Trinity, one God, R.

Holy Mary, conceived without stain of original sin,
R. Pray for us and for our children.
Holy Mary, glorious Mother of Jesus Christ,
R. Pray for us...
St. Monica R.
Model of wives R.
You who converted your unbelieving husband, Mother of St. Augustine, R.
Strict and prudent teacher, guardian of your son in all his ways, R.
You who carefully watched over his conduct, R.
You who were sorely distressed at his erring from the right, R.
You who were untiring in your petitions for his soul's safety, R.
You who still hoped on amid the bitterness of your heart and your floods of tears, R.
You who were filled with consolation upon his return to God, R.
You who died calmly after faithfully fulfilling your duties, R.
You who are the prayerful intercessor of all mothers who pray and weep as you did, R.

Preserve the innocence of our children,
R. We beseech you, St. Monica.
Protect them against the deceits of evil, R.
Protect them from the dangers of bad example, R.
Watch over the movements of grace in their hearts, R.
Let Christian virtues strike deep roots in their hearts and bear much fruit, R.
Redouble your intercession for youth approaching manhood, R.
Obtain for all in mortal sin true contrition and perfect conversion, R.
Obtain for all mothers to fulfill their duties steadily and perseveringly, R.
Commend all mothers to the protection of the ever-blessed Virgin Mother of Our Lord, R.
Favorably incline the heart of your beloved son Augusine to the salvation of our children, R.

St. Augustine, holy son of a saintly mother,
R. Pray for us and for our children.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
R. Spare us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
R. Graciously hear us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
R. Have mercy on us, O Lord!
Pray for us, O holy St. Monica,
R. That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.

Prayer for the Conversion of Sinners

Priest: O Lord, Jesus Christ,

All: We humbly beseech Thee to hear with loving compassion the fervent prayer that we pour fourth to Thee, on behalf of the strayed of this parish and of the whole world. It is thy most earnest desire that no soul should be lost but that all should come to the love and knowledge of God. And yet, kind Jesus, how many there are whom Thou hast called to the true faith but who have permitted that faith to die out in their hearts? A dread judgment awaits them if Thou dost not show them great mercy. Spare them, O Lord, spare them, in Thy mercy; give them the grace to come back to Thy Church, lest they die in their sins and Thou be angry with them forever. Thou hast come upon earth to spread the fire of love among men, and what wouldst Thou more than it be kindled. Look therefore with compassionate eye, upon the strayed in this parish and in the whole world in whose mind the light of faith still shines, but out of whose hearts Thy grace has been driven by sin. Move these by Thy divine light, warn them by the voice of conscience, so that the light of grace may follow them night and day until, humbled and sorry for their sins, they invoke and pardon. To us also, most loving Jesus, impart Thy special blessing, that as now we lovingly gather around Thine altar on earth, we may one day be gathered around Thy throne in heaven, there to praise Thee and to bless Thee forever. Amen.