Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Oct/75

Contributor - R. A. Hartmans

Title - Monica

Topic - Church History

The faith of parents can be very important in leading children to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. One of the most splendid examples we find in the story of Monica, the mother of Augustine of Hippo.

Details on her life and faith come primarily from the famous devotional writing by her son called The Confessions. Monica was born in the North-African city of Carthage in the year 332. Her parents were devout Christians. They probably were also of some means, for they could afford a nurse to look after their daughter.

This nurse, who had also looked after Monica's father, handled the little girl with love, but neither did she spare the rod.

Monica flourished under her parents' roof. As she grew older she received more and more responsibilities. One of these was to enter the cellar every day., where she would fill a container from a large cask of table wine. Due to her age she was only allowed to drink water with her meals, but, being a curious youngster, she could not resist to taste a few drops of the forbidden drink. As time went by this not only became a custom with her, but soon she took a sip of wine every day - and then a cup. One day this dangerous habit came to a sudden stop, when, during a quarrel with a young maid, the girl accused Monica of being a "winebibber". This opened her eyes, after which she would never indulge herself at the cask again.

Having become of age her parents gave Monica in marriage to Patricius. It is surprising that in those days, when parents had such a large voice in choosing a partner for their child, Monica was allowed to marry Patricius.

Though the man was good natured and fairly well-to-do, he was inot a Christian. Moreover. his morals left much to be desired. Even after his marriage he had numerous affairs with other women.

Monica and Patricius had three children: Two boys and one girl. The oldest boy, Augustine, was born on November 13 at Tagaste, in the year 354.

Motherhood did not prevent Monica from being a hard worker in her church and community. Women in the community would come to her for marital advice. They admired her for her brave faithfulness in serving her unfaithful husband. At that time Patricius had developed terrible temper tantrums which she would patiently bear. To the women she would explain that a wife ought to serve her husband instead of quarreling with him.

Monica's main goal in life was to lead her husband and children to Christ. Shortly before his death in 372 Patricius accepted Christ, and during his last days they grew very close together in their now shared love for the Lord.

In that same year Monica became a grandmother. It is doubtful that this was a reason for joy to her. The boy's mother- was Augustine's concubine. Rather than following his mother's guidance, Augustine pursued his father's frivolous life style.

As a little boy Augustine had been very close to his mother. She marveled as she heard him speak to God in prayer. The Lord was very real to the child.

Because of Augustine's brilliant mind his father insisted on giving him the best education. School discipline was very severe. Beatings were handed out for the smallest mistake and the slightest infraction of the rules. Augustine received his share of punishment, and at night he would pray fervently that God would protect him the next day from more beatings. His prayers went often unanswered.

One may wonder whether a disappointment in God's care made Augustine turn away from his mother's faith. As he grew up to be a teenager he caused his mother to have more and more concern.

Patricius seems to have supported Augustine's mischief. On occasion, when Monica would complain about Augustine's behaviour, Patricius would say, "Let him alone, let him do what he will, for he is not baptized". One day Patricius came home from the public baths, smiling. Apparently he had spied on his son, and had noticed his sexual development. Patricius felt real proud of his son. Monica was shocked.

When Augustine left home for Carthage to continue his studies in Latin, rhetoric, mathematics, music and philosophy, his father told him to watch his money, study hard and have a good time. His mother instead lectured him not to commit fornication, and, above all, stay away from the wives of other men. Augustine followed his father's advice. At 18 years of age he had fathered an illegitimate son. It must be said, however, that Augustine was faithful to his concubine. He took her and his son Adeodatus along with him to far away Rome where he would teach rhetoric for a year.

Augustine was twenty-nine at that time. Nevertheless, his mother begged him not to go. Did she fear that he; would move ,farther away from the Christian faith in the imperial city? When her son refused to listen to her, Monica decided to accompany him. Against her son's objections she severed all ties with her beloved place of birth, and, after a last visit to her husband's grave, next to which she had reserved a plot for her own burial - she was ready to set sail. Not quite ready though, for on the quay she decided to spend some time in prayer in a harbour chapel. This was Augustine's opportunity to escape. When Monica came out of the chapel, the ship had gone. Augustine had left for Rome without her.

Monica was heartbroken. Not only that Augustine had moved away from her influence, but also the manner in which he had departed hurt her deeply. Nevertheless she continued to love him and to pray for him.

Then, one night, Monica had a dream. She saw herself standing on a narrow beam which probably was lying across a ravine. A young man in splendid clothes came toward her, and asked for the reason of her sad appearance. She answered that she grieved for Augustine because, though he was alive, he was dead in his relationship to Christ. The angel spoke to her again saying that where she was, Augustine was also. And ;when she looked she saw her son standing right,,next to her. Later, ,when she told Augustine about her dream, he laughed at her. He teased her that she would not need to be afraid, for that she would certainly join his religion Augustine was quite moved when' his patient mother hotly answered him, "No. I was not told 'where he is you shall be', but 'where you are he will be'." Later, Monica was comforted once more by a certain bishop with whom she shared her grief about her son's unbelief. The bishop told her "It is impossible, that the son of these tears should perish."

In the year 384 Augustine was appointed Rhetoric Professor in Milan. Monica joined him there. By now Augustine had settled down. More and more his restless heart forced him to search for the true religion. His mother encouraged him to attend with her the church services which were led by the famous bishop Ambrose.

More even than the bishop's sermons Augustine was moved by the singing of the hymns. Bishop Ambrose recognized that Augustine was searching and advised him to read the Bible.

In his youth Augustine had made fun of the Scriptures. He considered them a collection of fantastic fables. Under the direction of Ambrose he discovered the truth of Paul's statement that "the written code kills, but the Spirit gives life." (2 Corinthians 3 :6)

Monica followed his spiritual progress anxiously. She noticed how his progress in faith was paralleled by his dissatisfaction with his strong sexual needs. Then she encouraged him to get married.

One would have expected that Augustine would have married the mother of his son. For some 15 years she had been with him. Why did not Monica encourage him? Instead she arranged for Augustine to be engaged to a ten year old girl of wealthy parents. Because of the girl's youth, they were required to wait two years before the marriage could take place. Meanwhile Augustine sent his concubine away. Later he would write "that his heart was broken and wounded". The woman too felt deeply hurt and entered a convent in North Africa.

Notwithstanding his sorrow, Augustine remained continent only for a few weeks. Then he took himself another mistress as he prayed to God "give me chastity and continence, but do not give it yet".

Nevertheless, Monica continued to trust that the Lord would help Augustine to commit himself to Him. Daily she went to the Cathedral for prayer services. Augustine also continued his struggles he received much strength from reading the writings by the Apostle Paul. One day, when he and a friend were reading in a cottage garden, he became so moved that he walked away to hide his tears. Then he heard a child's voice "take up and read, take up and read". Having walked back to his friend, he picked up Paul's letter to the Romans. Picking up the book he read "not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires" (13 : 14). Suddenly his heart was filled with light. The darkness of all former doubts was driven away. Full of joy he, told his friend about his conversion. Alipius, himself searching for faith, then took the book and read, "now him that is weak in faith, welcome him". Alipius believed this to be God's revelation to him and he joined Augustine in accepting Christ as Lord and Saviour. Together they went to see Monica.

In the year 387, at Easter, Monica saw Augustine and her grandson Adeodatus baptized by bishop Ambrose. Soon afterward the family left for North Arica to enter the monastic life. However, when they were still in the Italian port Ostea, Monica fell ill, and in a few days she died.

Monica left in joy. The Lord had heard her prayers. He had used her first to lead her husband to faith. Now her son and grandson had been joined in the Lord. All that remained was to meet the Lord face to face.

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