St. Monica Novena--Day Three

THIRD DAY: Prayer for Charity

O glorious mother St. Monica, who can conceive the consolation that abounded in thy heart, so long the home of brooding sorrow, when thou sawst thy child Augustine rising in the light of grace and giving himself generously to God; when thou foldedst thy converted son in thy arms, and tears of very joy streamed forth to tell the glowing jubilee of thy heart. Oh, how in that moment God in his mercy recompensed thy years of sorrow and anxiety, thy long and weary days of racking suspense. It was impossible that a child of tears like thine should perish; and when thy son Augustine heart the call of God, he obeyed it, and his life and his deeds flung a lustre all their own on thee, St. Monica. O fortunate mother, twice mother of thy child, deign to listen to our prayers and present our petitions to God; look lovingly, and with all a mother's interest on us assembled here, under thy protection, to honor thee. We love thee; let us become, as St. Augustine of old, the objects of thy maternal love. Pray that we, too, like St. Augustine, may have strength to cling to God, and triumph over sin and temptation. By thy prayers break the fetters of sin that hold in cruel bondage the souls of thy sinful children in this world. O mother, pray that the miracle of grace in the heart of Augustine may again and again be repeated in these day of universal sin, and that the erring children of Jesus may be let back to the fold; that, united here on earth, we may securely go through the dangers of life and be united with thee, our mother, in heaven for ever. Amen

Our Father . . . Hail Mary . . . Glory Be . . .Saint Monica, pray for us.

LET US PRAY. O God, look graciously down upon your children who sigh in this valley of tears. Hopefully we pray for our daily bread, for the forgiveness of our sins, for the never-failing help of your grace, and for the faithful fulfillment of your promises: to find life everlasting and a happy abode with you in heaven, through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer.

May God, through the merits and intercession of Saint Monica, increase our faith, strengthen our hope, and enkindle the fire of charity in our hearts. Amen

Here is the final installment of the chaplet:

5) I join my tears to yours --- against the spirit of Doubt, toward the spirit of Faith --- Saint Monica, pray for me in the Holy Name of Jesus!
4 Hail Marys...

6) I join my tears to yours --- against the spirit of Fear, toward the spirit of Peace --- Saint Monica, pray for me in the Holy Name of Jesus!
4 Hail Marys...

Returning to pendant, on the first bead pray:
"Saint Monica, Exemplary mother of the great Augustine, you perserveringly pursued your wayward son not with wild threats but with prayerful cries to heaven. Intercede for all mothers in our day so that they may learn to draw their children to God. Teach them how to remain close to their children, even the prodigal sons and daughters who have sadly gone astray."

On the next pendant bead, pray:
"O great Saint Augustine, take our children under your protection! To our efforts in their behalf, join your intercession for them with God. Exert all your influence and, with the compassion of your loving heart, intercede with the Most Holy Trinity for them. Permit not that our children, sanctified in the waters of baptism, should through mortal sin be banished from the presence of God and suffer eternal punishment."

On the medal:
"Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Eternal Father, have mercy on us and on our children! Lord, graciously hear us! Amen."