What is the purpose of a family? 

The answer to this question can only be drawn from a vision of a human person. People do not exist for families; families exist for people. What, essentially, is a person's purpose? Our essential purpose is to become the-best-version-of-ourselves. You are here to become all you were created to be.

Could you have any better dream for your children, your spouse, or your parents than for them to truly become and fully celebrate the-best-version-of-themselves? It is the ultimate dream for those we love.

This was Saint Monica’s vision for both her husband and her son Augustine. But it took a lot of motherly care to nudge them toward becoming the-best-version-of-themselves.

Monica was born into a Christian family in 331 AD and later married to Patricius, a Roman pagan with a volatile temper and wayward habits. Despite his harshness and infidelity, Monica's gentle and devout nature gradually won him over. Her steadfast faith and relentless prayers eventually led to his conversion to Christianity a year before his death.

Monica’s most enduring legacy, however, is her relationship with her son Augustine. Despite his exceptional intellect, as a young man Augustine chased pleasure and was enticed by heretical beliefs. This caused Monica great sorrow, yet she remained steadfast in her hope and prayer for his conversion. Her love for Augustine was profound and unwavering, rooted in her desire to see him live up to his fullest potential.

Monica’s journey with Augustine was not easy. She followed him to Rome and then to Milan, seeking the counsel of Saint Ambrose, the bishop of Milan. Under Ambrose’s mentorship, Augustine underwent a profound spiritual transformation, culminating in his baptism in 387 AD. Monica’s relentless prayers and faith were pivotal in guiding Augustine to become one of the Church’s greatest theologians.

Saint Monica’s life is a powerful testament to the influence a dedicated mother and wife can have on her family. Her faith and love were the catalysts for the spiritual growth of her husband and son, spurring them on to become the-best-versions-of-themselves.

Inspired by Saint Monica’s example, let’s embrace the purpose of a family and help one another become the-best-version-of-ourselves. 

Let’s constantly be asking our family members: Is that going to help you become the-best-version-of-yourself? Are you helping your friends become the-best-version-of-themselves? Are they helping you? Let's go work out together, it will help us become better-versions-of-ourselves. Let's pray together, it'll help us become the-best-version-of-ourselves.

Let’s help our family members make every decision be a decision to become all that God created them to be.



Feast Day: August 27

Patron Saint of: Mothers, Married Women, Difficult Marriages, Children Who Have Left the Church, Victims of Adultery, Lapsed Catholics, and Conversion of Relatives

Also Known As: The Mother of Saint Augustine

Symbols: A Monstrance, Wearing a Veil, and Weeping