In the Canon of Saints of the Catholic Church, St Monica is somewhat of a rarity. As a fourth century woman, who was married and had children, her sainthood situates her in quite a unique category.
The under-representation of women who have been venerated as saints is largely due to historical and societal factors resulting in men holding more prominent positions in public life, leading to higher visibility and wider recognition. The hierarchical and patriarchal structure of the Church perpetuated the celebration of male sanctity and the process of canonisation has favoured those whose lives have been well documented over time.
As such, by far the greater proportion of canonised saints are male. Of those who are women, the majority are more than likely to have been nuns, or to have been bestowed with the venerable title of Virgin. Those who married were often childless, and for various reasons entered religious life or sought spiritual conversion after the death of their husband. As a wife and mother, St Monica’s elevation to sainthood is therefore highly unusual.
Monica was born into a Christian family in 331 and was married at a very young age to Patricius, a pagan who was a wealthy and powerful political figure. While best known as the mother of St Augustine, Monica had two other children, Navigius and Perpetua who both entered religious life.
Monica is remembered and celebrated for her faithful devotion to her family, and in particular for her fervent prayers for the conversion of her wayward son Augustine. Her perseverance was rewarded in him eventually becoming a renowned theologian, philosopher, Bishop of Hippo and Doctor of the Church. Much of what is known about St Monica is found in St Augustine’s Confessions1 and this detailed documentation of her piety, virtues and influence on him contributed significantly to her recognition as a saint.
The Communion of Saints is not limited, of course, to those who were revered in the early Church and to those who have been formally canonised since. It encompasses all who are in spiritual union with Christ, both the living and the dead. Throughout millennia the life-giving and self-giving nature of motherhood, with Mary as model and guide, has revealed women of extraordinary faith, courage and virtue.
Mothers who cradled babies as they walked to their deaths in concentration camps so that the infant’s last breath would be taken in the arms of love. Mothers who entrust their children to unseaworthy refugee vessels in the hope of giving them life. Mothers who daily endure abuse to protect their children from the devastation of domestic violence.
Their names are not known, their personal stories are not recorded. They are largely faceless and voiceless. Yet their expressions of supreme and selfless existential love are a whisper of grace that transcends humanity. These women are saints in every sense of the word.
The gift of St Monica then, is in the recognition of the sacramentality of motherhood, in finding saintliness in the daily, and in the faith-filled hope of God’s gracious love for children who lose their way.
St Monica’s feast day is celebrated on the 27th of August.
by Monica Dutton
1 Confessions is an autobiographical work by Augustine of Hippo, consisting of 13 books written in Latin between CE 397 and 400.The work outlines Augustine’s sinful youth and his conversion to Christianity.