For over 1500 years Saint Augustine’s Confessions has been a source of inspiration to Christians throughout the world. Filled with rich philosophical, theological, and psychological insight, Augustine’s penetrating insights on the human condition and the search for truth are timeless. Of the many extraordinary stories and reflections presented by Augustine, one of the most tender is his portrayal of his relationship with Saint Monica, his mother.
Below are presented four moving keys to better understand Saint Augustine and his relationship with Monica.
Saint Augustine was born to a devout Christian mother, Monica, and a non-Christian father, Patricius (although Patricius would be baptized before his death). As a baby, Augustine was bless with the sign of the cross and salt was placed upon his lips. Although infant baptism was common in North Africa at the time, Augustine’s baptism was deferred. Reflecting back, years later, Augustine would write,
For Augustine, Monica was a custodian, a guardian. Her devotion greatly impacted him. Her piety was a tremendously important factor in his own journey to faith. Owing to his relationship with Monica, Augustine is easily able to see the Church is our Mother. She is guardian of faith and witness to the grace of Christ.
At the time, Saint Augustine was part of the Manichean sect. As such he did adhere to the practice or beliefs of the Church. His separation from the Church grieved Monica; she desperately prayed for his return.
Monica’s tears became a font of life for Augustine. Her intercession, her constant beseeching of the throne of heaven, is a vehicle for grace for Augustine. Monica’s warnings and reprimands, her laments for Augustine’s deviant life, fall upon his deaf ears. And yet Monica remains faithful, never giving in to despair, constantly continuing to pray and hope for Augustine’s conversion.
Saint Monica had a dream that she believed was a direct message from God. It was a source of consolation to her. But given the eventual path of Augustine’s life, the dream was prophetic.
In the dream, the rule is a sort of measuring rod. It represents the “rule” of sound teaching or upright faith. For Monica to see Augustine on the rule, standing with her, meant that he would eventually return to the Church and embrace Monica’s faith.
Shortly before Saint Monica died—Augustine having been baptized and converted from Manichaeism to Christianity—Monica and Augustine shared a mystical experience at the port city of Ostia. Sitting by a window the two talked and talked of the things of God.
Delighting in their conversation, and experiencing yet more consolation still from the nature of their vision, Monica expresses her joy. The one thing she asked for, the conversion of Augustine, had come to pass. With such peace in her heart, she is ready to die, asking only for Augustine to remember her at the altar of the Lord.
