The Catholic saint’s day remembers Saint Monica, one of the most recognized female figures of the first centuries of Christianity. Her life was marked by a deep faith and by the perseverance with which she accompanied her family, especially her son St. Augustine.
Each day, the liturgical calendar recovers the history of people whose example has remained alive for centuries. August 27 is dedicated to St. Monica, whose family dedication and constancy in prayer have made her a figure especially linked to mothers and the family.
SANTA MONICA
St. Monica was born in Tagaste, in North Africa, in the year 331. She grew up in a Christian family and later married Patrick, with whom she had several children. Among them was Augustine of Hippo, who over time would become one of the great thinkers and saints of the Church.
One of the best-known episodes of his life was precisely his concern for Augustine, who during his youth remained far from the Christian faith. Monica accompanied him for years and prayed for his conversion, which finally took place in Milan under the influence of St. Ambrose. Augustine would be baptized in the year 387.
Shortly after her son’s conversion, St. Monica died in Ostia, near Rome, in the year 387. Her story was told by St. Augustine himself in his Confessions and the Church celebrates her feast day every August 27, remembering her as an example of faith, perseverance and family dedication.
WHY ARE SAINTS CELEBRATED?
The Christian saint’s day has its origin in the tradition of remembering the saints and blesseds recognized by the Church every day. These commemorations value the life and testimony of people who stood out for their faith and for the example they left throughout their lives.
With the passage of time, the celebration of saints also became linked to the name day, so that many people celebrate their saint on the day on which the Church remembers the saint from whom they received their name. This custom is still deeply rooted in many countries with a Christian tradition.
