As you know, we treated each one of you as a father treats his children, exhorting and encouraging you and insisting that you walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into his Kingdom and glory. (1 Thes 2:9-13)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082725.cfm
Saint Monica exhorted, encouraged and insisted that her son, Augustine, walk in a manner worthy of God’s calling, but all to no avail. Then she turned to her most powerful weapons, her prayers and her tears. Eventually, she won over her son, and he became a great teacher of the church. As she was dying in Italy, Augustine was very anxious to get her home to Africa, but the ship was delayed. She told him, “Son, don’t worry about my body, bury me wherever I die, but remember me always at the altar of the Lord.” His feast day is tomorrow. https://youtu.be/ywkkkiJ1FxI?si=u5oJrBB7F7YGu1LO
These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Saint Monica, August 27
