Sunday’s Angelus prayer message of Pope Benedict XVI presents St. Monica as hope for families and urges the safeguard of the environment

(28 Aug. 2006) : Pope Benedict XVI proposed St. Monica and St. Augustine as two signs of hope for today's struggling families. “Although the mother and son lived in the fourth century, their testimonies can be of great consolation and help for many families also of our time," the Pope said to the crowds gathered to pray the Sunday Angelus prayer in the courtyard of the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo. The Holy Father said St. Monica, whose feast we celebrate today,27 Aug. lived her mission of wife and mother with excellence. She helped her husband to discover, little by little, the beauty of faith in Christ and the strength of evangelical love, and after being widowed, dedicated herself to caring for her three children. Pope Benedict said that St. Augustine, whose feast is held 28 Aug., made his mother suffer with his rather rebellious temperament. But as Augustine himself would say later," the Pope continued, "his mother gave him birth twice; the second time, required a long spiritual labor, made up of prayer and tears, but crowned in the end by the joy of seeing him, not only embrace the faith and receive baptism, but also dedicate himself entirely to the service of Christ." The Pope spoke also of the many difficulties there are today in family relationships, and the anguish of mothers because their children choose mistaken ways."
He said St. Monica invites all these mothers not to be discouraged, but maintain firmly their confidence in God and persevere in prayer,"
Pope Benedict also expressed the hope that St. Augustine may obtain for us the gift of a sincere and profound encounter with Christ, especially "for all those young people who, thirsty for happiness, seek it in mistaken ways and get lost in dead ends." The Pontiff entrusted to the Virgin Mary "Christian parents, so that, like Monica, they will support their children on their way with their example and prayer; and young people so that, like Augustine, they will always tend to the fullness of truth and love, which is Christ."
After the Marian prayer, the Pope recalled the “Day for safeguarding creation” that the Italian church will mark on 1 September. He said “Environmental degradation makes unsustainable especially the existence of the poor of the earth. In dialogue with Christians of different denominations, we should commit ourselves to taking care of creation, without depleting its resources and sharing them with solidarity,” he added.