She lived in the 3rd Century and married a man who wasn't exactly the nicest guy. He didn't beat her, but he was loud and mean and a womanizer. What was her response to the verbal and psychological abuse? She prayed. Yep, that's it. She prayed and he converted. Her cranky mother-in-law was converted too!
Monica also had three children. Her oldest son was a brilliant thinker, but a pagan with a bad temper and a wandering eye just like his father. He lived with a mistress and fathered a child out of wedlock. Monica and her tears followed him from Africa through Italy, much to his chagrin. More important than her tears and her tailing him was her prayers. She constantly prayed for her son and his conversion. Finally, he relented, converted and was baptized.
Her son was St. Augustine of Hippo, one of most greatest thinkers and theologians of the Church.
Her life wasn't easy and her patience was sorely tested during all those years of praying without an answer, but she persevered. She is a model for mothers. You don't need "bad" kids to know that being a good mother always involves patience, doggedness and prayer.
St. Monica, pray for us.
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