Born a Christian in North
Africa, Monica married and bore three children. Through her example, her husband,
Patricius, became a Christian, and she prayed for the conversion of her son
Augustine, who had abandoned his Christian faith for Manichaeism. When he went
to Italy, Monica met him in Milan, where he had met Bishop Ambrose and been
baptized. She died during their return trip to Africa, saying all her hopes had
been fulfilled. May we also never give up encouraging the spiritual
journeys of those we love.
