This North African laywoman married Patricius; St. Augustine of Hippo was their eldest child. She tried to bring him up a Christian but also was ambitious for his worldly success. He scorned Christianity and had a son with his mistress. In 383 Monica followed Augustine to Italy, where she was a follower of St. Ambrose. Three years later, Augustine was baptized. But Monica fell ill and died before their return to Africa. Years before, a bishop had famously counseled her: “It is not possible that the son of so many tears should be lost.”
