27 August 2010: Memorial -- St Monica

St Augustine’s mother who prayed for his conversion. A model of a mother with great faith in prayer. (Fr James Socias, et al [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1624) Tradition is Mary appeared to her holding a black cincture as a sign of her son’s conversion and will be a great saint. (In “A Marian Pilgrimage”, 2000, p2, Sinag-Tala Publishers, Inc)

Prayer as a family

For many years, Augustine lived outside of God’s favor. He was dead to grace through sin. St Monica’s example, tears and prayers obtained from the Lord the spiritual resurrection of one who would later become among the greatest saints and doctors of the Church.

St Monica’s daily fidelity to God also won the conversion of her pagan husband, Patrick. She exerted a profound influence on all who formed the family circle. St Augustine summarizes her life: “She looks after everyone as if she truly were the mother of all. She also serves everyone, as if she were the daughter of all.” (“Confessions”, 9, 9, 22)

“How pleasing to the Lord to see the Christian family as truly a ‘domestic church’, a place of prayer and of the transmission of faith, of learning through the example of the older ones and of solid Christian attitudes preserved throughout life as a most sacred legacy. ... St Monica was ‘twice the mother of St Augustine’ ... she gave him birth and a Christian life.” (cf John Paul II, “Address”, 10 March 1989)

If the prayer of St Monica as a mother was so pleasing to God, how much more will be that of the entire family. “Family prayer has its own characteristics. It is done in common, husband and wife together, parents and children united.” (Ibid, Apostolic Exhortation, “Familiaris Consortio”, 22 November 1981, 59) Through common prayer, the members of the family are brought together with greater strength, among themselves, and with God.

Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:115-9

‘... be it done ... as you will.’

Jesus went into Phoenicia, a country partly inhabited by descendants of the ancient Canaanites. He didn’t intend to evangelize in this idolatrous country.

“He went to the district of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, ‘Have mercy, on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon’.” (Mt 15:21-22)

Admire the qualities of this woman’s prayer, that we may make them our own. 1st, she runs to Jesus without hesitation or delay;

2nd, she draws near him, animated with a lively faith in his omnipotence as God, and in his compassion as man: “Lord, Son of David” (Mt 15:22);

3rd, she knows she is but a humble supplicant, and feels helpless: “Have mercy on me” (Mt 15:22); and

4th, perfectly resigned, she tells of her daughter’s misery, and leaves her entirely to the goodness of Jesus.

Is this how we pray? It would seem that Jesus chose, for our instruction, to severely try the faith and perseverance of this woman; and she has been celebrated for it in the whole world.

1st, “He did not answer her at all” (Mt 15:23), as if he did not intend to listen to her; and

2nd, the Apostles pleaded for her, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us” (Mt 15:23).

He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Mt 15:24). It was like a refusal; but the woman was not rebuffed. She “came and worshipped him, saying, ‘Lord, help me!’” (Mt 15:25)

Among the main reasons why our prayers seem not to be heard is our lack of perseverance. We wish to obtain from God some great favor for ourselves or for a friend. We begin a novena for this intention. The first two or three days we faithfully say the prayers; wanes on the sixth or seventh. It is difficult to keep our fervor.

Does it happen that after having unsuccessfully begged for some favor twice or thrice, we stop asking, as if we were fearful of pleading to our good God? This Canaanite proves that a holy plea is pleasing to God.

The faith and perseverance of the Canaanite had already triumphed over severe trials. Our Lord chose, however, to make her submit to one more before he granted her prayer. He said, “Suffer first the children to be filled; for it is not good to take the bread of the children and cast it to the dogs” (Mt 15:26).

But these harsh words did not dismay the supplicant. She answered, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table” (Mt 15:27).

Our Lord, seemed to be conquered, “‘Woman, great is your faith. Let it be done for you as you wish’; and her daughter was healed instantly.” (Mt 15:28)

This daughter, according to St Jerome, is an excellent type of our soul. And the anxiety of the mother the type of that assiduous care for it. We ought to preserve it from the devil and its malicious influence.

Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp536-8

· “Say the entire Rosary well every day; in the hour of death you will bless the moment you chose so holy a resolution.” -- St Louis de Montfort (In Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p47)

Selection

858 “The first step towards bringing others to the ways of Christ is for them to see you happy and serene, sure in your advance towards God.”

911 “Turn constantly to the most Holy Virgin, the Mother of God and Mother of the human race; and she, with a Mother’s gentleness, will draw down the love of God on the souls you deal with, so that they may make up their minds to be witnesses for Jesus Christ, in their profession, in their ordinary work.”

Ref: cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”

Our Lady of Moustier, eight or ten leagues from Sisteron, in the direction of Marseilles. An ancient tradition records that a lord of the country captured by the Turks, made a vow to build a chapel in honor of the Blessed Virgin, if she were pleased to deliver him. The Blessed Virgin heard his prayer; an angel took him on his wings, and carried him back to his country. The nobleman erected a magnificent chapel to the Blessed Virgin, where numerous miracles are wrought. — Manuscript Account. “Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar (http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)

‘Notre Dame de Moustier’ / Our Lady of Moustier. Near Sisteron, France.(www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santia;go/m_feasts.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)

Seven Joys of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (Annunciation, Visitation, Birth of Jesus, Adoration of the Magi, Finding in the Temple, Resurrection, Assumption).(www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)