St. Monica Novena

Let me introduce you to a friend of mine: St. Monica! I became acquainted with her a long time ago, and I have long admired her. But last year, that admiration developed into a deeper friendship when I did some research for an article I was writing about her. While she is famous for being the mom of a great saint, St. Monica’s story is so much deeper than perseveringly praying for 17 years for her degenerate son, Augustine, to convert to Christianity. Her story takes place in the early days of the church, but it is also a story that could be in modern day America as shown in the many stories I hear from women every single day.

Monica and Me

I sat before my keyboard in disbelief. How is it August already? When I wrote about St. Monica last fall for The Cloud of Witnesses book, I had it on my heart and mind that I would be sure to write about her again on her feast day. Which is August 27. And now it is early August, and the days just keep getting shorter and flying by.

Shaking off the fact that I had procrastinated- again- I started typing as if I were writing a letter to St. Monica asking, “what do you want me to tell people?” Hearing so much heartbreak and brokenness from so many people I know and care for, I long for people to know there is hope. I had learned so much about her, surely there was a way to really show her to others! However, paring down my words has never been my strong suit. I am the type of person who will have 25 of the same photo, unable to let go of 24 almost identical photos- because they all have something unique! What could I do? What did she want me to say today?

A Novena? Me?

A short time later, having jotted down a few ideas, I put the laptop away still clueless. Besides that, the dogs were screaming to go out. While walking my dogs, the idea came, like so many do when I am nowhere near a computer. A novena! People love a good novena! I was only just starting to learn about novenas, could I even put together a decent one? And there were so many St. Monica Novenas in the world, why not just point to one of them? That would certainly be easier.

And yet, the idea kept percolating within me. This novena could be more than simply a daily prayer for 9 days. I could highlight a different aspect of her each day- a different story, a different group she is patron to, a different virtue. This novena could give me the opportunity to share with people in small bite sizes some of what I have learned.

Is St. Monica the Patron for You?

Are you:

• A mom?
• A wife?
• A widow?
• An abuse victim?
• An alcoholic?
• An addict?

Do you have:

• A difficult marriage?
• A strained or difficult relationship with your in-laws?
• Difficult children or children who have rejected the faith you raised them in?
• Loved ones that you wish would convert?

If any of these apply, I am pretty sure I can show you how you can relate to St. Monica. That is, if I can tell the stories properly.

“That is all well and fine- but what is a novena?”

For some of you, a novena is second nature. I know people who pray them all the time. However, if you are like me, you are pretty new to them and are maybe a little suspicious. In a nutshell, a novena is a set of prayers said in the course of 9 days for a particular purpose or intention. You can read more in detail here. Generally, a novena will begin 9 days prior to some important date, such as in the case of St. Monica’s feast day. But some are done every week, or every month or, in my case, since I often miss a day or days, I end up doing it all in 1 day- every hour for 9 hours. (I wouldn’t recommend it.)

I posted the Saint Monica Prayer here.

Join Me in Praying a St. Monica Novena

When you join this St. Monica Novena, you will receive an email each day for 9 days with the following:

• A story in Monica’s life
• A different virtue highlight
• A patron saint highlight
• Novena prayer for the day
• Short reflection
• Resolution for the day

Click here to Join this free novena. I will see you soon!

If you want to get started on a morning prayer routine- I have the perfect book for you. And it is Free! I put together a prayer book of all of my favorite morning prayers and challenge you to spend a couple of your morning minutes each day with God. Get it here!