One of the most moving sections of Confessions is Book IX where Augustine recounts the life and death of his beloved mother Monica. By her son’s account, Monica, though a devout Christian, did not have an easy life. She was, for a time, addicted to alcohol. Later she married a surly pagan man who did not share her Christian faith or character. Perhaps worst of all, her oldest child was wayward and far from the Lord.
That wasn’t the end of the story of course. Augustine was famously converted in Milan and went on to become the Church’s most significant theologian. At her death, Monica explained that she was ready to leave this world because her hope in this world was already fulfilled. “The one reason I wanted to stay longer in this life,” she said, “was my desire to see you a Catholic [as opposed to a heretical] Christian before I die. My God has granted this in a way more than I had hoped.”
She died at age 56, when Augustine was 33.
In keeping with the ideals of the day, Augustine tried hard to fight back tears at the funeral. He didn’t want to imply that his mother was to be pitied, for she had entered a glorious rest. But despite his “inward struggle” and “powerful act of mental control” Augustine eventually allowed himself to grieve.
May God give special grace to all those who weep for deceased mothers. And let us offer special thanksgiving for all the mothers who have wept over us.
