Saint Augustine and His Mother Saint Monica

Sports and Faith II 

The following passage is from Sports and Faith: More Stories of the Devoted and the Devout by Patrick McCaskey, Copyright 2015, Sporting Chance Press.

Saint Monica is remembered as the mother of Saint Augustine.  Monica was an innocent and pious Catholic who was married to a Pagan named Patritius, who was likely a drinker as well as a carouser.  Monica had three children: sons Augustine and Navigius, and a daughter, Perpetua.  She wanted her children to be Baptized and brought up in the faith, but she was hindered by Patritius until he himself was converted.  Patritius died after his Baptism and left Monica a widow.

Monica spent many hours praying for her son Augustine’s conversion and salvation.   Saint Augustine would look back on his youth as a time of reckless immoral behavior. 

Augustine was promiscuous, lazy, and a reveler.  Augustine took up with a mistress with whom he had a son and lived for many years.   Saint Monica was a devout Christian and impressed those around her by her faith and prayer life.  Augustine’s mistress was not an acceptable wife and he hated to leave her, but he did.  He took his son Adeodatus (gift from God). Further consternation resulted from Augustine’s adoption of Manichaeism.  Manichaeism was a popular religion at the time that divided the world between good and evil principles with things material considered evil and things immaterial intrinsically good.  This dualistic theology was at best a heresy.  Monica was so disturbed by this turn in her son, that she originally barred the door to him. 

As Monica did all her life, she prayed and prayed and prayed.  She was assisted by  Saint Ambrose in converting Augustine.  Biographical information on Monica is sketchy at best, but it was suggested that she was at least temped by drink and managed to fight it off.  Her ability to avoid the destructive nature of vice as well as her incredible faith and untiring prayer life has made her a Patron Saint of Alcoholics.   Saint Monica example of the power of prayer has stood out for Christians over the centuries.

 Saint Augustine went on to give his wealth to the poor, his life to the priesthood, and his labors to the Catholic community of his time.  Bishop Augustine is considered one of the greatest Christian writers and a Doctor of the Church.

Alcoholism is a disease that is passed down over the generations.  Three generations of my family were alcoholics until my father put it on hold.  When he was fifteen, he had five beers while singing in a saloon one night.  His head was spinning.  He came home and said to his mother, “I’ll never drink again.”  I followed his example and have stayed away from it altogether.  I believe I am a better man for it. 

Saint Augustine’s Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.

—Saint Augustine