Posted on 08/27/2002 4:10:55 PM PDT by Lady In Blue
From the Confessions of Saint Augustine, bishop
Let us gain eternal wisdom
The day was now approaching when my mother Monica would depart from this life; you knew that day,Lord,though we did not. She and I happened to be standing byourselves at a window that overlooked the garden in the courtyard of the house. At the time we were in Ostia on the Tiber. We had gone there after a long and wearisome journey to get away from the noisy crowd, and to rest and prepare for our sea voyage. I believe that you, Lord, caused all this to happen in your own mysterious ways. And so the two of us, all alone, were enjoying a very pleasant conversation,for getting the past and pushing on the what is ahead. We were asking one another in the presence of the Truth-for you are the Truth-What it would be like to share the eternal life enjoyed by the saints, which eye has not seen,nor ear heard, which has not even entered into the heart of man. We desired with all our hearts to drink from the streams of your heavenly fountain, the fountain of life.
That was the substnace of our talk, though not the exact words. But you know, O Lord, that in the course of our conversation that day, the world and its pleasures lost all their attraction for us. My mother said: "Son, as far as I am concerned, nothin in this life now gives me any pleasure. I do not know why I am still here, since I have no further hopes in this world. I did have one reason for wanting to live a little longer: to see you become a Catholic Christian before I died. God has lavished his gifts on me in that respect, for I know that you have even renounced earthly happiness to be his servant. So what am I doing here?"
I do not remember how I answered her. Shortly, within five days or thereabouts, she fell sick with a fever. Then one day during the course of her illness she became unconscious and for a while she was unaware of her surroundings.My brother and I rushed to her side but she regained conscousness quickly. She looked at us as we stood there and asked in a puzzled voice: "Where was I?"
We were overwhelmed with grief, but she held her gase steadily upon us and spoke further:"Here you shall bury your mother." I remained silent as I held back my tears.However, my brother haltingly expressed his hope that she might not die in a strange country but in her own land, since her end would be happier there. When she heard this, her face was filled with anxiety, and she reproached him with a glance because he had entertained such earthly thoughts. Then she looked at me and spoke:"Look what he is saying."Thereupon she said to both of us:"Bury my body wherever you will;let not care of it cause you any concern. One thing only I ask you, that you remember me at the altar of the Lord wherever you may be." Once our mother had expressed this desire as best she could, she fell silent as the pain of her illness increased.
Saint Monica, Patron Saint of mothers and widows, pray for us.
Another saint for our days!! Lady In Blue, you are on a roll! That's two for two.
I pray to St. Monica constantly, to watch over my teenage daughter, who, like many others, shuns anything to do with the church and religion. Deep in my heart, I know that she will be okay. I began bringing her to mass the week she was born. She's been through catholic school and will make her confirmation next Spring. I draw on the patience of St. Monica to keep me going through this phase of her life.
St. Monica is one of my favorite saints because of her example of perserverance and trust. |
Thank you both for your prayers. My daughter is adopted. She is the answer to a prayer that lasted 20 years. Recognizing that, she is named for Christ and St. Francis of Assisi (the prayer to Christ was answered in the Porziuncola of St. Francis).
As a young child, she would ALWAYS stop at the statue of Mary, just outside our parish church, and look up at her. It was as if they were having a conversation. She would bring Mary flowers from her garden or a rock she found along the way. In 2nd grade, the class prepared for First Holy Communion; she was so impatient. One Sunday morning, I found her in the kitchen with a slice of bread on the cutting board. She cut out small circles and made a cross on each. She then packed these into her pocket book to take to church. When we went up for communion, she would retrieve the homemade "hosts" and take one in church.
Please pray for her godfather, as well. He was raised and educated in the catholic faith, attended Francis Xavier Academy for Boys (run by the Jesuits) and is also a lost soul. He hasn't been to mass in years but my daughter thinks the world of him and he has agreed to be her sponsor.
I am keeping St. Monica quite busy right now! LOL.
There's a great new book that Tan Books just put out.
I've just started reading it this week.It's very readable and understandable without being dry.It's a great refresher book.We all need to be refreshed about the Faith from time to time.
Now it's my time to ask your prayers - for my brother.I just mailed him a copy of this book this week.I'm hoping and praying that he'll read it.You know how guys are generally about reading books on religion,but like I said,I'm hoping and praying that he'll read it.It's also a great book for folks who are interested in the Catholic Church and who respects it enough to ask questions about it.
Very wise words from St. Monica.
Once again, Lady in Blue, you have done a splendid job! Thanks and God bless!
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