St. Monica, Pray for us!

[Convert in 99]

Please everyone keep praying for my husband. For his overall growth in the Christian faith and for him to be brought into full communion with the Catholic Church. He's maybe only making baby steps of progress towards Catholic, don't see it happening anytime soon, but he's making much bigger steps in overall Christian growth. Your prayers are working. Keep praying hard!. Thanks ladies!

[HarmonyServant]

Prayers coming your way, Convert.

Well, my husband and I got into quite the argument this morning. Now that I finally have a car, I briefly mentioned that I wanted to start attending Mass. I won't repeat entirely what he said, but the gist of it was that I was disrespecting his wishes, that I'm taking a step backward in my faith, etc, etc. I dunno, it seems like whenever he gets a little openminded to the Truth, the devil has to stick his horns in. I've tried to explain what Catholicism really believes ("No, honey, they don't worship statues."), but he shuns any reasoning away.

He went to work in an ill mood, and I said a big, long prayer after he left and now I just to vent because I'm getting scared how this is going to really affect everything. He's already put his foot down about the kids converting with me, which really breaks my heart.

I feel so ... stuck now.

[MariaC]

I am returning to the CAF after some time away, and I had not been aware of this thread before. For many years I have had a connection, a bond with St. Monica, which began about 15 years ago when I came upon her biography while at a book fair. I had spent 20 years answering questions and praying for my Christian husband to come into the Catholic Church, and he did, though not without a struggle. Now, eleven years later, he is on the RCIA team at our parish. For half of those 31 years, I had asked and continue to ask for St. Monica's intercession in our lives and those of our friends. When I have more time I will read all the posts. I keep all of your intentions in my prayers.

Dear St. Monica,
troubled wife and mother,
many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime.
Yet, you never despaired or lost faith.
With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,
you prayed daily for the conversion
of your beloved husband, Patricius,
and your beloved son, Augustine;
your prayers were answered.
Grant me that same fortitude, patience,
and trust in the Lord.
Intercede for me, dear St. Monica,
that God may favorably hear my plea for

the return to the Church
of the sons of two friends from my parish

and grant me the grace to accept His Will in all things,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

[Belle10]

PRAYER TO ST. MONICA

Dear St. Monica,
troubled wife and mother,
many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime.
Yet, you never despaired or lost faith.
With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,
you prayed daily for the conversion
of your beloved husband, Patricius,
and your beloved son, Augustine;
your prayers were answered.
Grant me that same fortitude, patience,
and trust in the Lord.
Intercede for me, dear St. Monica,
that God may favorably hear my plea for

the intentions of all on this thread

and grant me the grace to accept His Will in all things,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

[bwdiaz]

Dear St. Monica,
troubled wife and mother,
many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime.
Yet, you never despaired or lost faith.
With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,
you prayed daily for the conversion
of your beloved husband, Patricius,
and your beloved son, Augustine;
your prayers were answered.
Grant me that same fortitude, patience,
and trust in the Lord.
Intercede for me, dear St. Monica,
that God may favorably hear my plea for

the happiness and peace of my family,
strength to be a good mother and to continually do my best,
as well as all the intentions of all on this thread

and grant me the grace to accept His Will in all things,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I just wanted to update about our recent issue with my husband's job. I am so grateful to God right now that my husband is still employed and that his position is out of danger. He was able to work out the problem, and while it was an emotionally rough few weeks, we seem to be on the other side of it now. Many thanks to all of you for your prayers.

In other news, my husband and I had a really good heart to heart about religion yesterday. He and I have realized that we come to view the purpose of religious belief and action differently. He seems to enter religion in more of a communal or service oriented way. For example, he like that his church assigns him to regularly check on the welfare of other parishioners, or that they ask him to do acts of service and charity that involve such things as taking food, running errands, or actively visiting others. In my case, I am intensely attracted to ritual acts of worship, I need to pray, to go to Mass, read scripture, and ponder the mysteries of God, as a way of facilitating my ability to be compassionate and act Christlike. Up till now he has felt those things were only a means to an end and did not feel they were actions that had merits in and of themselves. I asked him if he has felt I've been fighting with him less, or been more available to him emotionally, He said he had, and I told him it is because I've been relying more on my "means" to be able to do so. He was impressed and while he still feels those things aren't for him, he seems to understand me a little better. I think that is a huge blessing. One way I can tell is because yesterday evening, at dinner, he said a lovely prayer himself, instead of just putting up with me doing it. Also, he said he would support me if I decided to attend RCIA this year (I have had no education in the church since I was 8 and have not been confirmed) though he needs to think more about whether he would be comfortable with getting our marriage blessed by the church. We decided we will commit to revisit the issue around Thanksgiving.

To me, those are such powerful things and I feel thrilled to have another affirmation that my husband loves me, wants me to be happy, and has opened his heart up to the holy spirit. I am going to continue to pray to St. Monica, St. Rita, St. Philomena, and the Holy Family for intercession on behalf of my husband, our family, and our continued spiritual growth. I am also praying for all of you.

Bev

[Belle10]

Bev, it sounds like the Holy Spirit is touching your husband, thank God (and St. Monica)! That's great that you two were able to have an honest conversation about faith and are agreeing to continue the discussion.

PRAYER TO ST. MONICA

Dear St. Monica,
troubled wife and mother,
many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime.
Yet, you never despaired or lost faith.
With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,
you prayed daily for the conversion
of your beloved husband, Patricius,
and your beloved son, Augustine;
your prayers were answered.
Grant me that same fortitude, patience,
and trust in the Lord.
Intercede for me, dear St. Monica,
that God may favorably hear my plea for

the intentions of all on this thread

and grant me the grace to accept His Will in all things,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

[Belle10]

PRAYER TO ST. MONICA

Dear St. Monica,
troubled wife and mother,
many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime.
Yet, you never despaired or lost faith.
With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,
you prayed daily for the conversion
of your beloved husband, Patricius,
and your beloved son, Augustine;
your prayers were answered.
Grant me that same fortitude, patience,
and trust in the Lord.
Intercede for me, dear St. Monica,
that God may favorably hear my plea for

the intentions of all on this thread

and grant me the grace to accept His Will in all things,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

[Convert in 99]

Please keep praying for my husband. I saw him KNEELING during communion prayers! He usually just sits there and says his own prayers. Of course the large family in back of us kinda forced him to lean forward, but he rested his knees on the kneeler and put his folded hands on the back of the pew in front of him. I still don't know if he just felt crowed, or he was trying to set a good example for the children behind us. But no matter, it still was definitely kneeling and I was trying to hold back my tears and smiles. I didn't want him to feel I "caught" him in the act. But I so hope it wasn't just a one time event, I hope he enjoyed it and wishes to do so every week. Please pray for him!

[Lamb Serenade]

PRAYER TO ST. MONICA

Dear St. Monica,
troubled wife and mother,
many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime.
Yet, you never despaired or lost faith.
With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,
you prayed daily for the conversion
of your beloved husband, Patricius,
and your beloved son, Augustine;
your prayers were answered.
Grant me that same fortitude, patience,
and trust in the Lord.
Intercede for me, dear St. Monica,
that God may favorably hear my plea for

the intentions of all on this thread

and grant me the grace to accept His Will in all things,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

[hdog]

St. Monica pray for me that I may grow in faith and love with Jesus and humbly submit to His will and not mine...and also that I may truly repent with word and deed.

St Monica lover of God pray for me!

[Lamb Serenade]

PRAYER TO ST. MONICA

Dear St. Monica,
troubled wife and mother,
many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime.
Yet, you never despaired or lost faith.
With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,
you prayed daily for the conversion
of your beloved husband, Patricius,
and your beloved son, Augustine;
your prayers were answered.
Grant me that same fortitude, patience,
and trust in the Lord.
Intercede for me, dear St. Monica,
that God may favorably hear my plea for

the intentions of all on this thread

and grant me the grace to accept His Will in all things,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

[St Gabriel]

Originally Posted by Belle10

PRAYER TO ST. MONICA

Dear St. Monica,
troubled wife and mother,
many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime.
Yet, you never despaired or lost faith.
With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,
you prayed daily for the conversion
of your beloved husband, Patricius,
and your beloved son, Augustine;
your prayers were answered.
Grant me that same fortitude, patience,
and trust in the Lord.
Intercede for me, dear St. Monica,
that God may favorably hear my plea for

the intentions of all on this thread

and grant me the grace to accept His Will in all things,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

Amen.

[elizabethanne3]

PRAYER TO ST. MONICA

Dear St. Monica,
troubled wife and mother,
many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime.
Yet, you never despaired or lost faith.
With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,
you prayed daily for the conversion
of your beloved husband, Patricius,
and your beloved son, Augustine;
your prayers were answered.
Grant me that same fortitude, patience,
and trust in the Lord.
Intercede for me, dear St. Monica,
that God may favorably hear my plea for

the intentions of all on this thread
and my husband, DBS

and grant me the grace to accept His Will in all things,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

[elizabethanne3]

PRAYER TO ST. MONICA

Dear St. Monica,
troubled wife and mother,
many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime.
Yet, you never despaired or lost faith.
With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,
you prayed daily for the conversion
of your beloved husband, Patricius,
and your beloved son, Augustine;
your prayers were answered.
Grant me that same fortitude, patience,
and trust in the Lord.
Intercede for me, dear St. Monica,
that God may favorably hear my plea for

the intentions of all on this thread
and my husband, DBS

and grant me the grace to accept His Will in all things,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

[Rammy]

Originally Posted by Lamb Serenade

PRAYER TO ST. MONICA

Dear St. Monica,
troubled wife and mother,
many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime.
Yet, you never despaired or lost faith.
With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,
you prayed daily for the conversion
of your beloved husband, Patricius,
and your beloved son, Augustine;
your prayers were answered.
Grant me that same fortitude, patience,
and trust in the Lord.
Intercede for me, dear St. Monica,
that God may favorably hear my plea for

the intentions of all on this thread

and grant me the grace to accept His Will in all things,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.

Amen.

Lambie...a familiar face here after being out for so long. How i have missed being here, and for all that it is worth, i have finally gotten a drug plan to cover my medications, and have finally put the uneasy dark cloud away enough to gather my strength and get it together enough to pray. It has been so very long since i have done so. Not from disbelief, but from such powerful feelings overwhelming me watching too much spin out of controle.

I simply put on a smile, and robotically did my job...and my soul has suffered for not being able to do more that what i could because we all know that if we do things WITH God it is so much easier. But i am in high hopes, like the footprints poem...that he carried me.

My family is still very torn, and we walk into another winter with our farm not doing so well. Husband still is not comming home all of the time, and has been drinking still, and off his meds. This is what has left me so overwhelmed. I am so tired of being the only parent, the only strength for everyone, and not a soul helps me when i am down. I think they think i am superwoman, but i am just human...and i need them to be more for me...as selfish as that is. I am simply so very run down.

At least back onto my antidepresants i was unable to purchase, i can see that i was overwhelmed, and i am at least trying to gather my suport teams. From on wife to another...i need you!

Please pray for me...i will do the same for you!

Lana