Monica of Hippo

Who they were

Monica, a Berber, was born in 331 at Tagaste in North Africa to a well-off Christian family. She married Patricius, a pagan, ambitious, hot-tempered and unfaithful, and by patience, gentleness and prayer won him over and brought him to the faith. At 22 she gave birth to Augustine, then to Navigius and a daughter; widowed at 39, she ran the family estate and poured her love into her children.

Augustine, the 'son of so many tears', gave her the most grief. She followed him to Milan, praying constantly, and saw him converted. At Ostia, on the way home to Africa, she told him she no longer had anything to stay in this world for, now that she saw him despising earthly happiness to serve God. A few days later she fell ill and died, aged 56. Her relics were brought to Rome in the fifteenth century and rest in the Basilica of Sant'Agostino.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: Monica has been honoured as a saint since her son wrote of her in his Confessions.

Why that counted as sanctity

Monica never stopped praying, for a difficult husband and a wayward son, and lived to see both turn to Christ. She is the model of every parent who waits and prays.

Connected on this site

• Augustine of Hippo Saint Child