Friday, August 27, 2021

 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.