St Monica Feast Day | August 27, 2024

Dear friends,

Today we celebrate the Feast Day of St. Monica, mother of the great theologian St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo in Northern Africa. Monica prayed fervently for her family, especially for her dear son Augustine. I imagine that Monica saw in her son what he did not initially see in himself. Eventually, the prayers of a mother were answered, perhaps beyond her wildest dreams.

Monica’s son accepted Christ, was baptized by St. Ambrose of Milan and that may have been enough for her. God, being so amazing, blessed Augustine with a mission to serve the church as a bishop and theologian. His writings influenced the development of Western philosophy and Christianity, and he is viewed as one of the most important Church Fathers of the Latin Church in the Patristic Period.

Saint Monica reminds me to pray always, and to rejoice always; give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Today my dear friends, let's remember St. Monica today by praying for each other! I also ask that you pray for me in service to the students, faculty, and staff of Texas Southern University and for all affiliated with the institution in some way. Pray that the love of Christ Jesus from the TSU Catholic Newman Center permeates every inch of the campus.

Tomorrow we will celebrate the first Mass of the semester at noon on the Feast Day of St. Augustine and as you go about your day and week, I would like to share the following words:

"What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like".
-Saint Augustine

Saint Monica, mother of St. Augustine, pray for us as you diligently prayed for him!

Saint Augustine, son of St. Monica, pray for us!

With Love and Blessings!