MONICA, Saint. - Mother of St. Augustine, born at Tagaste, in proconsular Numidia, in 331, died at Ostia in 387. Her parents were Christians: Monica's education was entrusted to an old nurse, who had carried her father in her arms and who often exaggerated in severity. She was married to a certain Patricius, a pagan, violent and dissolute. The first years of marriage were filled with bitterness; but Monica's patience and resignation never failed.
From this union three children were born: Augustine (v.), Navigius and a daughter. Little or nothing is known of the latter two; the glory of Augustine has drawn upon himself the attention of posterity. The figures of Augustine and Monica have passed into history as something indivisible; beyond the natural life, the great convert owes to his mother the supernatural light. Of her he has left unforgettable pages in his Confessions (bk. IX).
Knowing the inevitable struggles of adolescence, Monica had given Augustine a Christian education, but according to custom the administration of Baptism was deferred for him, for fear of seeing the sacramental Grace shipwrecked too soon.
The mother's anxiety increased from day to day at seeing that Augustine was setting out on the path of evil, though she was comforted by some glimmer of light, such as Patricius's decision to receive Baptism (371). But he died shortly thereafter. After various vicissitudes, Augustine decided to leave Africa to go to Rome. Monica begged him not to depart, following him in tears as far as the port: but all was in vain. In 385, dismayed by her son's distance and foreseeing sad misfortunes, she embarked for Italy and reached him at Milan. Having arrived in that city, she learned that Augustine had for some time had close relations with the bishop Ambrose and was listening to his sermons to the people. The trial lasted a long time, because the difficulties to be overcome were many; but at last the work of Grace was completed. Then Monica remembered the words addressed to her some time before by a holy bishop: "It is impossible that the son of so many tears should perish."
During the autumn holidays of 386 mother and son withdrew to the villa of Verecundus at Cassiciacum, in Brianza, and after some months of true peace Augustine received Baptism at Milan (387). Toward the end of summer they set out on the road to Africa; but having reached Ostia, after a few days of fever, Monica died.
Her body was buried at Ostia and for many centuries her name remained in oblivion. In 1162 there was a first translation of Monica's relics into the church of the Canons Regular of Arrouaise (France), where her feast began to be celebrated on 4 May. Under Martin V, in 1430, there was another translation of the Saint's body from Ostia to Rome. Monica's relics, first deposited in the church of St. Tryphon, were later transferred to St. Augustine through the efforts of Maffeo Vegio. The existence of two translations unfortunately makes the authenticity of the Saint's relics problematic. Recently a notable fragment came to light of the sepulchral inscription dictated by Anicius Auchenius Bassus. The Roman Martyrology, besides the feast of 4 May, commemorates the translation of 1430 on 9 April.
Bibliography10 works
Emanuele Romanelli