St. Monica prayed for the conversion of her son for seventeen years, following him across the sea, weeping before God, and refusing to give up. A bishop consoled her with words the Church has never forgotten: “It is not possible that the son of so many tears should perish.” That son became St. Augustine, one of the greatest saints in history. She is the patroness of mothers and of everyone praying for a loved one who has wandered. Feast day: August 27.
Prayer to St. Monica
Dear St. Monica, you wept and prayed for years without seeing an answer, and you never stopped, because you knew the God to whom you prayed.
Intercede for the one I love who has wandered far from faith. Where I cannot reach, your prayers can. Obtain for them the grace of return, and obtain for me your patience, your persistence, and your peace while I wait.
I thank God now for the homecoming I have not yet seen, for it is not possible that one prayed for with so many tears should be lost.