… My mother said:
“Son, as far as I am concerned, nothing in this life now gives me pleasure. I do
not know why I am still here, since have no further hopes in this world. I did
have one reason for wanting to live a little longer: to see you become a
Catholic Christian before I died. God has lavished his gift s on me in that
respect, for I know that you have even renounced earthly happiness to be his
servant. So what am I doing here“
…”Bury my
body wherever you will; let not care of it cause you any concern. One thing only
I ask you, that you remember me at the altar of the Lord wherever you may
be” — Confessions of St. Augustine
God of mercy,
comfort of
those in sorrow,
the tears of Saint Monica moved you
to convert her son
Saint Augustine to the faith of Christ.
By their prayers, help us to turn
from our sins
and to find your loving forgiveness. — Liturgy of the
Hours
Praise to all of those parents who have wept bitter tears for the conversion
of their children and
I would especially like to thank my mother who has wept
many tears over me.
On a lighter note, I live in the diocese of St.
Augustine in Florida. St. Augustine is the oldest city in the United States and
is where the first Mass was celebrated. The first ship that came here sighted
land on the eve of the feast of St. Augustine. Now I think that it is a cruel
joke that the city named after his mother, Santa Monica, is on the opposite
coast. At least their feast days are next to each other.
