Dear Brother Knights,
St. Augustine in his book Confessions recounts the last moments of his mother’s life on earth. His mother, St. Monica, was a devout woman who prayed for the conversion of Augustine, who throughout his youth lived a Godless, debauched life. He, of course, had a great conversion, and became one of the great leaders in the history of the Church.
St. Monica became ill in the year 387 as she was traveling near Rome. She and her family lived in the Roman Empire, but in North Africa—not Rome.
Augustine and his brother were with her on her death bed, and his brother mentioned to her that he was hoping that she might make it back to her homeland before she dies. Augustine said that upon hearing this, “she reproached him with a glance because he had entertained such earthly thoughts.”
She said to them, “bury my body wherever you will, let not care of it cause any concern. One thing only I ask you, that you remember me at the altar of the Lord wherever you may be.”
St. Monica, a canonized saint in the Church was asking for nothing else on her deathbed, but prayers.
We hope that we, too, when we are facing our looming death will have the same purity of intentions as St. Monica. In this month dedicated to the poor souls, let us remember those who have gone before us with the greatest gift possible: our prayers.
Sincerely in Christ,
Father Kipper
