St. Monica & St. Augustine

OBJECTIVE

We have begun to think about family on a spiritual level and how God wants us to be part of His family. It is important to listen to our parents and be obedient to our parents just as it is important to be obedient to God. Just like we love our families on earth, we love our family in heaven. The goal of our spirituality is to learn to love God as our heavenly father.

INTRODUCTION - 5 Minutes

Last week we spoke about St. Kyriakos and his mother St. Julietta. We saw that St. Kyriakos displayed a really strong identity as a Christian, so much so that his first words were "I am a Christian." He must have loved God so much and he learned that love from his mother. While his mother was willing to give her life to defend her faith, she was so worried that after she died, Kyriakos would lose his faith. She prayed to God to allow her to safeguard Kyriakos' eternal life and, when the governor killed Kyriakos, St. Julietta prayed to God to thank Him for accepting Kyriakos into His eternal kingdom. St. Julietta knew that when she would be martyred, she would live forever in heaven with her son Kyriakos in God's light and love. This is how family encourages and strengthens each other to be together in heaven. This week we will learn about another mother, whose prayers lead to the salvation of her son.

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." Galatians 2:20

LIFE OF THE SAINT - 15 Minutes

St. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine, was born in 322 AD in Carthage, modern day Algeria. She was a Christian, but married a pagan (that means someone who does not believe in Christ). Her husband, Patritius was not a very good man and did not live a good life, but Monica was very gentle and was able to control her words.

Patritius would not allow his children to be baptized. Augustine lived a sinful life and St. Monica prayed for him and for all of her family. Through her prayers, her husband Patritius was converted and believed in Christ before he died.

Even though Patritius was converted before he died, Augustine continued to live a life of sin far from God. St. Augustine even began to believe in false teachings. St. Monica tried to persuade him that these were false beliefs and for many years (about 15-17) she kept praying that he would leave these false beliefs and believe in the true God. Her prayers were so strong that she would cry while praying. She even tried to get a bishop to convince him, but the bishop told her he would not be able to persuade Augustine and also told her that it was not possible that God would allow the son for whom all these tears were shed to be lost.

When Augustine traveled to Rome, St. Monica followed him there. He was increasingly unhappy in his life of sin and he heard of a great speaker called Bishop Ambrose. Augustine used to go and listen to St. Ambrose frequently.

One day, while Augustine was thinking in the garden about the things that were keeping him from accepting Christ, he heard a little child say "Get up and read Get up and Read" He went and opened the Bible and began reading Romans, Chapter 13: "Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in clambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put you on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, fulfilling the lusts thereof." This verse essentially says to cast off the works of darkness and put on the Lord Jesus Christ. His heart was touched and he believed. He and his son were baptized on the eve of Pascha in the year 387 by Bishop Ambrose.

St. Augustine then began to live a life of prayer, study and poverty. He was made a priest and then the bishop of the city of Hippo in Algeria. He wrote many things, including two books - "Confessions" and "On the City of God."

St. Augustine became a great scholar and saint. This can be attributed to several things:

  1. Prayer of St. Monica (prayer & family)
  2. Bible reading (Romans 13:13)
  3. Life of Antony (the saints)
  4. Sermons and model of St. Ambrose, bishop of Milan (clergy)

DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 5 Minutes

Think of something about yourself or your life that you really want to change to be better. Or you can even think about someone else who needs help from God. Can you commit to pray for this change or for this person every morning, every evening and at every liturgy for at least one month?

APPLICATION (Action) - 10 Minutes

Can you think of a parable that is similar to the life of St. Monica and St. Augustine?

Do you see any similarity between the parable of the Prodigal Son and St. Augustine?

  • Both sons left the love of their parent and chose to live in sin
  • Both parents kept waiting for the return of their child
  • Both children came to their senses and returned to the source of love
  • Both parents accepted the children despite the years of sin

This teaches us that God is waiting for anyone who sins to return to Him and that He will bring us back to Him if our hearts are open. God always has open arms for anyone who wants to return to His bosom.

This reminds us that God is always within us, even if we stray from Him. We should always remember to pray so we can be in His presence. If we know anyone who strays away from God, we should pray very strongly for that person until God brings them back. God always wants us to return to His love and be a part of His family.

ACTIVITY

Download Saint Monica and Saint Augustine Puzzles and Games Printable Packet from this site.

RESOURCES

Synaxarium: St. Augustine

YouTube video:

PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK

Have parents try to develop prayers that are connected to every part of the day. For example, when we wake, saying "My eyes have awoken before the morning watch that I might meditate on your sayings" or in the shower, "Purge me with hyssop and I shall be made clean. Wash me and I shall be made whiter than snow." Or on the way to school, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Teaching children to pray during every part of their day will keep them aware of and existing in God's presence throughout the day.

Also, have parents encourage the use of arrow prayers throughout the day, specifically, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me" or "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, help me". The use of arrow prayers not only calls us into the presence of God, but also cleanses the heart and soul.