Memorial of Saint Monica
(I Thessalonians 4:1-8;
Matthew 25:1-13)
Before the
school year begins, many anxious parents of incoming freshmen call university
chaplains. They ask the ministers to
watch out for their son or daughter. Unfortunately,
the son or daughter rarely shows up for services so the ministers cannot help
them. St. Monica was this kind of parent
worried about the spiritual life of her son Augustine.
Augustine
eventually became one of the great saints of the Church, but as a youth he was
associated with illicit sexual indulgence and freethinking. Augustine was obviously very talented, but
Monica prayed that he become a Catholic Christian, not a success among
men. She also sought the help of St.
Ambrose, the bishop of Milan where Augustine was living. Eventually Ambrose shepherded Augustine into
the Church. Monica was like Paul in
today’s first reading. The apostle
advised his converts of God’s will for them – their holiness.
Our young
often leave religious customs behind when they go to college. After promising to be faithful disciples at
Confirmation, they may choose hedonism on campus. We must pray for them like
St. Monica did for Augustine. If
possible, we might also take an active interest in what is happening at the
campus ministry center.
