PARKERSBURG - St. Francis Xavier Parish Center, 609 Market St., will be hosting the fifth presentation in the "Saint of the Month Club" series at 2 p.m. Aug. 26 as Margaret Watzek brings her interpretation of St. Monica of Hippo to the stage.
"The relationship between Saint Monica and her son, Saint Augustine of Hippo, was one of those very human relationships that God uses to bring both to sainthood. In fact, I'm sure St. Monica would say, 'I became a saint because of my son.' And St. Augustine would say, "I became a saint because of my mother," said Watzek. "Both would be telling the truth, even though their relationship was often difficult and sometimes painful for both of them. This presentation of St. Monica will include some social history and information on the life and work of St. Augustine, but I hope to present the relationship between the greatest and most passionate theologian of Christianity and his mother, who helped to shape both his life and thought."
Today's knowledge of Monica comes almost entirely from the writings of her much-loved son, the great Doctor of the Church, St. Augustine of Hippo.
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Margaret Watzek will portray St. Monica of Hippo in Sunday’s “Saint of the Month Club” presentation held at St. Francis Xavier Parish Center.
Monica was born about the year 332 in Tagaste, North Africa. She is perhaps most known for her persistent prayers and tears for the conversion of her son. The local bishop comforted Monica by saying, ".it is not possible that the son of so many tears should perish". St. Monica's relentless prayers were answered when 17 years later her son converted to Catholicism. Her prayers answered, Monica felt her purpose in life complete. On the voyage back home she fell ill and died. She was not afraid to die comforting her son, "Nothing is far from God."
St. Monica is the patron saint of patience, married women, mothers, widows, difficult marriages, and victims of unfaithfulness. Her Feast Day is Aug. 27.
Watzek is a theologian in the Roman Catholic Church and a member of St. Margaret Mary Parish. This series is presented by the Parkersburg Collaborating Catholic Parishes.
Fact Box
If You Go
What: Saint of the Month Club presentation on St.?Monica
When: 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: St. Francis Xavier Parish Center
The public is invited to attend the presentation. Light refreshments to follow the one hour drama.
