Inspired by the witness of St. Monica, hundreds of women around the world make up this faith community that prays for children, families and vocations. In May, the community shares new spirituality and formation materials.
A mission born from a mother’s heart
The Christian Mothers of St. Monica are an international community of women united by faith and by the inspiration of an exemplary mother: St. Monica, whose persevering prayer brought about the conversion of her son, St. Augustine.
Trusting in the transforming power of prayer, these women pray perseveringly for their children, husbands and families, promoting Christian values in the home and accompanying the life of the Church in silence and daily fidelity.
Prayer choirs and spiritual formation
The mothers are organized in groups called prayer choirs, made up of seven mothers who pray for each other’s intentions, taking on one day of the week. Before becoming an active part of the choir, each mother goes through a six-month formative itinerary where she is introduced to the life of St. Monica, to the spirituality of prayer and to the intercessory mission.
A network that grows as a family
The community of Madres Monicas is present in Spain, America and the Philippines, and is strengthened month by month with the accompaniment of the OAR interprovincial team. Each month they share materials that encourage us to live our prayerful vocation in depth.
May materials: prayer, desire and fidelity
This month, the Monica Mothers offer two documents that illuminate their spiritual journey:
Monthly Letter – May 2025
In this message, the interprovincial team expresses its joy for the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first Augustinian in history to occupy the Chair of Peter. The text reviews his trajectory as a religious, missionary and pastor, highlighting his bond with the Augustinian Recollects in Peru and his close relationship with the communities where the Augustinian family is present.
“As Monica Mothers, caretakers of the family and vocations, we thank God that Pope Leo was born and raised in a very religious and practicing family.”
Taste the Word | May 2025
This month’s prayer aid focuses on desire as the inner dynamism of prayer, according to St. Augustine.
“Prayer for St. Augustine is the holy desire, the desire for heavenly things. It is desire that keeps us in continual prayer”.
With a focus on Lectio divina and interiority, the document invites to a prayer that transforms from within, and suggests to the Mothers not to be satisfied with the minimum, but to seek deeply the things of God.
A family praying together
The Monica Mothers celebrate together the feast of St. Monica on August 27, renewing their commitment each year. Their silent work is a seed of hope and fidelity in the Church.
This month, with the new materials available, all mothers are invited to grow in prayer, formation and communion.