|SAINT MONICA, WIDOW—332-387| |Feast: May 4 knowledge of Monica
comes almost entirely from the writings of her much-loved son,
the great Doctor of the Church, St. Augustine of Hippo. His
relationship with his mother was a close one, especially during
Monica's last years. In Book IX of St. Augustine's <Confessions>
he gives us many details of her life, and expresses his
gratitude for her devotion in moving terms. Monica was born
about the year 332 in Tagaste, North Africa, of a Christian
family of some substance. We are given one episode of her
childhood which suggests a possible origin for her firmness of
will. She was sometimes sent down to the cellar to draw wine for
the family, and fell into the habit of taking secret sips. She
developed such a passion for wine that before long she was
drinking great draughts of it whenever opportunity offered. One
day a family slave who had been spying on the little girl
denounced her as a wine-bibber, and Monica, covered with shame,
gave up the habit. Soon afterwards she