Monica of Hippo

Saint Monica of Hippo (333 - 387) is a Christian saint and mother of Saint Augustine.

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She was born at Tagaste in the department of Constantine. Her parents brought her up as Christian and married her to an older, pagan man named Patricius. He was a man with a great deal of energy, but also a man given to violent tempers and adultery. Augustine reports that Patricius beat Monica. Furthermore, her mother-in-law was against her and put her into great troubles.

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However, Monica attended church daily and found patience. She would say to other women who had bad marriages, "If you can master your tongue, not only do you run less risk of being beaten, but perhaps you may even, one day, make your husband better." She won the favor of her mother-in-law in a short time. Eventually, she converted Patricius to Christianity and calmed his violence.

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She had three children. Augustine made her very happy with his successes as a scholar and teacher, but he also made her very ashamed with his debauchery. For ten years, Augustine lived with his mistress and subscribed to Manicheism. Monica sent Augustine to a bishop to be convinced of his errors. The bishop, however, was unable to prevail, and he advised Monica simply to continue to pray for her son. He told her, "It is impossible that the son of so many tears should perish." At the age of 28, Augustine received grace, according to his Confessions, and came to orthodox Christianity.

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When Patricius died, Monica joined Augustine in Italy. When she was fifty-six, she died while in Ostia with Augustine preparing to leave for a return to Africa. This was not long after her son's baptism by St. Ambrose.

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St. Monica's feast day in the Roman Catholic Church was May 4, but currently 27 August. She is the patron saint of wives and mothers, and of abuse victims.

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Christian: :This article is about the religious people known as Christians; for the 1980s British music group, see The Christians.For other uses of the term Christian, see Christian (disambiguation)....

Saint: In general, the term Saint refers to someone who is exceptionally virtuous and holy. It can be applied to both the living and the dead and is an acceptable term in most of the world's popular religions. The Saint is held up by the community as an example of how we all should act, and his or her life...

Saint Augustine: REDIRECT Augustinedgdfgddfg¶???...

Monica of Hippo related Images and Photos (experimental)

Saint Augustine of Hippo Teaching Rhetoric	Saint Augustine of Hippo Early Christian Church Father and Philosopher	Monica Keena	Monica Potter
Monica Bellucci	Monica: Still Standing CD	Monica: Still Standing CD	Yawning Hippo
The Hippo Ferry	Santa Monica Bike Trail	Jungle IV Hippo	Visit Santa Monica