Monica and Augustine

     St. Monica was born at Thagaste in Africa of a Christian family. She was married young, to Patricius, and among her children was Augustine. He had a brilliant intellect but had uncertain morals led a wild and dissolute youth.  Additionally Augustine and a wayward spiritual career. Though brought up a Christian, Augustine had a wayward spiritual career and left the Church, embracing different heresies. Augustine had a brilliant legal and academic career.  Eventually he came under the tutelage of St. Ambrose of Milan.  With many tears Monica prayed unceasingly to God for his conversion and her prayers were answered.  Augustine was baptized in 387, shortly before his mother’s death.  She had a deep faith and outstanding virtue and is a wonderful example of a Christian mother. 

     After his mother's death, Augustine returned home to Africa and led an ascetic life. He was elected Bishop of Hippo and spent 34 years looking after his flock, teaching them, strengthening them in the faith and protecting them strenuously against the errors of the time. He wrote an enormous number of works. He was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Boniface VIII in 1308. 
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