Saint Monica was perhaps the ultimate pushy parent and helicopter mother before helicopter mothering became the norm. The difference between St Monica, mother of wayward son, late converter and Father of the Church Saint Augustine, is that not only did she desire her talented son to have a great education, but she also wanted him to know God. St Monica deserves to be remembered this International Women’s Day.
Today’s parents often want professional success above all things for their children, but St Monica wanted her son to turn away from his lazy, indulgent life to convert to Christianity and live a Christian life. Monica was born in 331 and lived in Algeria when it was part of the Roman Empire. It was legal for her to follow Jesus, but in truth it was difficult as she was married to a very difficult man, Patricius.
