Saints who were mothers; mothers who are saints

After Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the most famous saint-mother is probably St. Monica. She remained devoted to her faith while being married to a non-Christian man and raising a brilliant but stubborn son named Augustine. Finally, after praying for him for 33 years, Augustine converted and became a Christian. While awaiting a ship to carry them back to Africa, Monica and her son had a beautiful conversation about the mysteries of faith and the joys of heaven. Monica died a few days later. Her work on earth was done. Elizabeth of Portugal had more family problems. She had a husband who was unfaithful and a son who was in open rebellion against him. She served as peacemaker between these two, and later between Portugal and Castile (in Spain), preventing a war between the two kingdoms. As Queen of Portugal, she still found time to establish hospitals, orphanages, and halfway houses for “fallen women”. Elizabeth Ann Seton was raised in the New York high society of the late 18th century. At the age of 19 she married a wealthy businessman William Seton. About ten years into her marriage, William’s business failed, and soon after he died of tuberculosis, leaving Elizabeth an impoverished widow with five small children. For years Elizabeth had felt drawn to Catholicism, believing in the Real Presence in the Eucharist and in the lineage of the Church going back to Christ and the Apostles. She converted to Catholicism, alienating many of her strict Episcopalian family in the process. At the invitation of the archbishop, she established a Catholic girl‘s school in Baltimore, Maryland which began the Catholic parochial school system in America. These mothers did marvelous things in spite of very difficult circumstances. But strong Catholic women are still doing heroic works of grace – giving their children comfort and stability after a time of loss, remaining cheery and faithful in spite of brokenness in the family. On Mother’s Day this Sunday, you are very likely sitting next to a saint. - - - Fr. Jim