Today in our Daily Office (dailyoffice2019.com), we remember Saint Monica (c. 332-387), Patron Saint of wives and abuse victims, a devout North African Christian woman revered for her persistent prayers and unwavering faith that led to the conversion of her son, Saint Augustine of Hippo, who became one of the most influential theologians and philosophers in Christian history.
"She brought me to birth both in her body so that I was born into the light of time, and in her heart so that I was born into the light of eternity" .
-- Augustine, Confessions 9,17
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Born c. 332 in Thagaste (modern Algeria), Monica was a devout Christian who married Patricius, a pagan with a difficult temperament.
Through her patience, prayers, and virtuous example, Monica influenced the conversion of both her husband and mother-in-law to Christianity.
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She persistently prayed for her son Augustine's conversion for 17 years, following him to Rome and Milan, where he eventually embraced Christianity.
Monica's spiritual wisdom and intellectual gifts were recognized by Augustine and others, as evidenced by her participation in philosophical discussions at Cassiciacum.
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She died in Ostia in 387, shortly after witnessing Augustine's baptism, having fulfilled her life's mission of seeing her son's conversion.
Monica is venerated as a saint in both Catholic and Orthodox traditions, remembered for her perseverance in prayer, maternal devotion, and spiritual influence.
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Traditions:
🇮🇹Italy: Pilgrimage to St. Monica's tomb in the Basilica of Sant'Agostino in Rome
🇲🇹Malta: Special masses and processions in honor of St. Monica in Mosta, where a church is dedicated to her
🇵🇭Philippines: Novena prayers and blessing of roses on her feast day
🇺🇸United States: St. Monica Sodality groups hold special gatherings and prayers for wayward children
🇪🇸Spain: In some regions, mothers bake special St. Monica cakes to share with their families
🇳🇬Nigeria: Women's groups organize retreats focused on St. Monica's virtues of patience and perseverance
🇮🇪Ireland: Lighting of candles and recitation of the "St. Monica Novena" in churches
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Foods:
🌍North Africa (Algeria): Tagine with chicken, apricots, and chickpeas, reflecting Monica and Augustine's Berber heritage
& Grilled fish with Mediterranean herbs, honoring the region's culinary traditions
🇮🇹Italy: Roman-style dishes, as Monica and Augustine lived in Rome and Milan
🇩🇿Algeria: Couscous, representing the regional cuisine of Monica's birthplace
& Stuffed vegetables, particularly bell peppers, reflecting local cuisine
🌎Global: Dishes featuring honey, symbolizing the sweetness of Monica's prayers
🌏✝️Global Catholic tradition: Tear-shaped cakes or cookies, symbolizing Monica's prayers for Augustine
✝️ Today we remember King Louis IX, King of France (1214-1270).
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He was a devout Catholic monarch known for his piety, justice, and leadership of two Crusades, who was canonized as a saint for his exemplary Christian life and service to the Church.
"I think more of the church where I was baptized than of Rheims Cathedral where I was crowned (as King of France). It is a greater thing to be a child of God than to be the ruler of a Kingdom."
-- Louis IX
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Louis IX reigned as King of France from 1226 to 1270, known for his piety, justice, and charitable works.
He implemented significant legal reforms, establishing royal courts and promoting fair trials based on evidence rather than trial by combat.
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He led two Crusades (the Seventh and Eighth) to the Holy Land, demonstrating his commitment to defending Christendom.
In 1248, fulfilling a vow made during a serious illness, he embarked on the Seventh Crusade to the Holy Land.
Although this expedition ended in failure and his capture by Egyptian forces, Louis's conduct during his imprisonment impressed even his captors, who were said to kneel when speaking to him.
After his release, he spent four years in the Holy Land, visiting holy sites and negotiating for the release of Christian prisoners.
Louis's final act of faith was his leadership of the Eighth Crusade in 1270. Landing in Tunis with the hope of converting the local emir, Louis and his army were instead struck by disease.
Bartholomew, also known as Nathanael, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ who is known for his initial skepticism about Jesus' origins, his subsequent recognition of Jesus as the Son of God, and his missionary work spreading the Gospel, particularly in Armenia where he was martyred for his faith.
“Here is a true child of Israel. There is no guile in him."
-- Jesus Christ, referring to Bartholomew
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Bartholomew, also known as Nathanael, was one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus Christ.
47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”
48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”
49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”
50 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.”
51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’[d] the Son of Man.”
He witnessed Jesus' ministry, death, and resurrection, and received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
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Bartholomew traveled extensively to spread the Gospel, including to India, Armenia, and Mesopotamia.
He is credited with bringing Christianity to Armenia, where he and Saint Jude are considered patron saints of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
In today’s Daily Officer, we remember Jonathan Myrick Daniels, an Episcopal seminarian and civil rights activist who sacrificed his life in 1965 to save a young African American woman from a racist attack in Alabama, becoming a martyr of the Episcopal Church and an exemplar of Christian self-sacrifice and justice.
“I knew then that I must go to Selma. The Virgin's song was to grow more and more dear in the weeks ahead." - Jonathan Myrick Daniels
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He was an Episcopal seminarian who answered Martin Luther King Jr.'s call for clergy to join the civil rights movement in Alabama in 1965.
He worked to integrate churches, register Black voters, and advocate for racial equality in the segregated South.
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Daniels sacrificed his life at age 26 by shielding Ruby Sales, a young Black activist, from a racist attack in Hayneville, Alabama.
He was recognised as a martyr in the Episcopal Church calendar, exemplifying Christian self-sacrifice and commitment to justice.
✝️📖 Today we remember Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), an influential Cistercian abbot, theologian, and Doctor of the Church known for his spiritual writings, monastic reforms, and powerful preaching, who played a central role in the expansion of the Cistercian order and the development of medieval Christian mysticism.
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"We are to love God for Himself, because of a twofold reason; nothing is more reasonable, nothing more profitable." - St. Bernard of Clairvaux
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Born in 1090 in Burgundy, France, Bernard entered the Cistercian order at age 22 and founded the Abbey of Clairvaux in 1115.
As abbot, he reformed and expanded the Cistercian order, founding over 60 monasteries across Europe and attracting many to monastic life.
2/ England’s flag is the Cross of St George: a red cross on white.
St George was a Christian martyr (d. c.303). Crusaders wore his cross as a sign of faith. It became England’s emblem in the Middle Ages. 🛡️
3/ The UK flag (Union Flag / Union Jack) fuses three Christian crosses:
✝️ St George’s Cross (England)
✝️ St Andrew’s Saltire (Scotland)
✝️ St Patrick’s Cross (Ireland)