August 27th is the Feast day of Saint Monica, mother of Saint Augustine. St. Monica was born in 321 AD in Tagaste, which is modern day Algeria. She married a Roman pagan, Patricius. They had three children: Augustine, Navigius and Perpetua. Monica converted her husband and his mother one year before her husband’s death. Very intelligent, Augustine wasn’t interested in studies. He studied in Carthage, and in Rome and Milan. Monica’s big wish was that her son would discover and appreciate the riches of Christianity. In Milan, St. Ambrose influenced Augustine and he embraced Christianity. Augustine later wrote of his mother’s influence.  Upon her death, Augustine recounted her words, “Son, nothing in this world now affords me delight. I do not know what there is now left for me to do or why I am still here, all my hopes in this world being now fulfilled”. Augustine later became Bishop of Hippo in North Africa. He was one of the important influencers in the development of Christian thought.  Monica is a patron of all mothers. Her life teaches us patience and commitment, as well as caring and devotion.