(Monika, Monique) [332-387], mother of St. Augustine and model of indefatigable prayer and surely patron of all whose sons who have brought grief to their mothers. After more than thirty years of prayer she saw her waistral son become an exemplary bishop and doctor of the Christian church. She is patron of mothers, difficult marriages, victims of physical abuse and unfaithfulness, of alcoholism and of widows. Her feast is August 27