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Cathmomof8
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| Posted: Aug 29 2006 at 5:50pm | IP Logged
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ZENIT News Agency, The World Seen from Rome
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Pope Bids Mothers to Persevere in Prayer
Presents St. Monica as Hope for Families
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, AUG. 27, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI proposed Sts. Monica and Augustine as two signs of hope for today's struggling families.
Although the mother and son lived in the fourth century, "their testimonies can be of great consolation and help for many families also of our time," the Pope said to the crowds gathered to pray the Angelus in the courtyard of the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo.
The Holy Father said St. Monica, whose feast day is today, lived "her mission of wife and mother" with excellence.
She helped "her husband, Patricius, to discover, little by little, the beauty of faith in Christ and the strength of evangelical love," and after being widowed, dedicated herself to caring for her three children, the Pontiff said.
Benedict XVI said that St. Augustine made his mother "suffer with his rather rebellious temperament."
"As Augustine himself would say later," the Pope continued, "his mother gave him birth twice; the second time required a long spiritual labor, made up of prayer and tears, but crowned in the end by the joy of seeing him not only embrace the faith and receive baptism, but also dedicate himself entirely to the service of Christ."
The Pontiff added: "How many difficulties there are also today in family relationships and how many mothers are anguished because their children choose mistaken ways!"
St. Monica invites all these mothers "not to be discouraged, but to persevere in their mission of wives and mothers, maintaining firm their confidence in God and clinging with perseverance to prayer," the Holy Father said.
Truth seeker
The Holy Father highlighted Augustine's "impassioned search for truth."
The saint, "attracted by earthly beauty ... 'fell upon' it," said the Pope.
"Through a toilsome journey," the Holy Father continued, and with the help of his mother's prayers, Augustine "discovered in Christ the ultimate and full meaning of his life and of the whole of human history."
That is why Augustine, whose feast is on Monday, is a "model of the way to God, supreme truth and good," added the Pontiff.
Benedict XVI expressed the hope that St. Augustine may "obtain for us also the gift of a sincere and profound encounter with Christ," especially "for all those young people who, thirsty for happiness, seek it in mistaken ways and get lost in dead ends."
The Bishop of Rome entrusted to the Virgin Mary "Christian parents so that, like Monica, they will support their children on their way with their example and prayer, and young people so that, as Augustine, they will always tend to the fullness of truth and love, which is Christ."
The Pope added that Christ "alone can satisfy the profound needs of the human heart."
ZE06082702
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Leonie
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| Posted: Aug 30 2006 at 5:03pm | IP Logged
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Thank you for sharing this. 
__________________
Leonie in Sydney
Living Without School
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TracyQ
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I LOVE St. Monica, and St. Augustine!
I ask for their intercession every single day in my morning prayers! Thanks for this!
__________________
Blessings and Peace,
Tracy Q.
wife of Marty for 20 years, mom of 3 wonderful children (1 homeschool graduate, 1 12th grader, and a 9th grader),
 homeschooling in 15th year in Buffalo, NY
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Nina Murphy
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| Posted: Aug 31 2006 at 11:30am | IP Logged
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I pray to them daily, as well.
I certainly needed to read this, as I am "alone" in my family of origin in my beliefs. The world and all it's allurements, and disillusionment that sets in with the Catholic ideal....has a mighty sway. 
Thank you for this!
__________________
God bless,
~~Nina
mother of 9 on earth,
and 2 yet-to-be-met
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Wisdom from our Holy Father
