For a child who has left the faith

For parents who have been praying a very long time.

Monica prayed for her brilliant, difficult son for seventeen years while he chased every philosophy and every pleasure Roman Africa could offer. He became St. Augustine. She is the patroness of every parent whose child has walked away and who has not stopped praying.

The Prayer

Exemplary mother of the great Augustine,
you perseveringly pursued your wayward son
not with wild threats but with prayerful cries to heaven.

Intercede for all mothers in our day
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.

Give me your patience, St. Monica.
When I want to argue, teach me to pray.
When I want to control, teach me to trust.
And let me live to see what you saw,
or die still believing I will. Amen.

About This Devotion

A bishop once told Monica, wearily, that the son of so many tears could not perish. That line has carried a great many parents through a great many years. Her feast is 27 August, the day before her son’s.

She did not argue Augustine into the Church. She outlasted him.