August 18-26: Novena to Saint Monica

Today we begin our novena to Saint Monica, the mother of Saint Augustine, for all those who have fallen away from the Faith.  For the next nine days, we will pray as a community that all the lost sheep may be returned to the one flock of Christ.  To help us in our efforts, I submit the following Novena Prayer (and make apologies for it being so late today).  The novena will conclude with Mass on Saturday for the Feast of St. Monica.  If you're in the Follansbee area, Mass it here at Saint Anthony's at 7:30 a.m.  Come by and see us.

Exemplary Mother of the Great Augustine,
you perserveringly pursued your wayward son not with wild threats but with prayerful cries to heaven.

Intercede for all parents in our day
so that they may learn to draw their children to God.

Teach them how to remain close to their children, even the prodigal sons and daughters who have sadly gone astray.

Dear St Monica, troubled wife and mother,
many sorrows pierced your heart
during your lifetime. Yet you never despaired or lost faith.

With confidence, persistence and profound faith, you prayed daily for the conversion
of your beloved husband, Patricius
and your beloved son, Augustine. Grant us that same fortitude, patience and trust in the Lord.

Intercede for us, dear St. Monica,
that God may favorably hear our plea
for the perseverance of all parents of children who have fallen away from the Faith, and for those children themselves, that God may open their hearts to His call.

And grant us the grace to accept his will in all things, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen.

Saint Monica, pray for us!