St. Monica pray for us! Praying for our husbands....

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I got this e-mail in my inbox this morning and I had to share it with all of you wonderful ladies who are “members” of the St. Monica thread. It seemed very appropriate for all of us in our attempt to keep things in perspective during difficult times. I am praying, as always for all of you! You have become “friends without faces” and I have come to treasure each post and each opportunity to uplift (or at least try) you when you are feeling overwhelmed. I also cherish each piece of wisdom offered when I am the one struggling.
My Jesus, I have traveled Your Way of the cross. It seems so real and I feel so ashamed.

I complain of my sufferings and find obedience to the Father’s Will difficult.

My Mind bogged down by the poverty, sickness, starvation, greed and hatred in the world. There are many innocent people who suffer so unjustly. There are those born with physical and mental defects.

Do we understand that You continue to carry Your cross in the minds and bodies of each human being? Help me to see the Father’s Will in every incident of my daily life.

This is what You did - you saw the Father’s Will in Your persecutors, Your enemies and your pain. You saw a beauty in the Cross and embraced it as a desired treasure.

My worldly mind is dulled by injustice and suffering and I lose sight of the glory that is to come.

Help me to trust the Father and to realize that there is something great behind the most insignificant suffering.

There is Someone lifting my cross to fit my shoulders - there is Divine Wisdom in all the petty annoyances that irk my soul every day.

Teach me the lessons contained in my Cross, the wisdom of its necessity, the beauty of its variety and the fortitude that accompanies even the smallest cross.

Mary, My Mother, obtain for me the grace to be Jesus to my neighbor and to see my neighbor in Jesus.

Amen.
May our Risen and Glorified Savior bring you peace today when He rose from the dead to save us and all of mankind!

JESUS CHRIST IS RISEN TODAY!
ALLELUIA!!
 
jules11 said:
Welcome to CAF jaq!!
May God be with you at this difficult time. Remember through all of this, Trust God. It is hard to let go and watch those we love make such bad decisions but the best thing we can do is to love them and pray for them. This is a very heartbreaking time for you and I hope that you have the support of family and friends. Pray the St. Monica novena with us and God may give you the miracle you pray for. God bless! We will pray for you
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Thanks jules 11 and others who have responded to me. I do agree, the best we can do is pray for them and love them. Loving DH can be very hard when he tells me he’s set on the two of us splitting up sometime shortly after our sons starts college next Fall. He has been talking about this for awhile, and now that it’s just around the corner I often feel myself feeling overwhelmed. I’ve been on a website dealing with midlife crisis and there’s a lot of venting that goes on. I’ve found that I need more support in my prayer life and faith in dealing with this now. I pray for a miracle, yet I must also keep in mind my dh’s free will. Last night we talked a little more openly about the “elephant” in our house. We spoke about the marital issues we’ve had for years and which no longer are in our lives. He states he just doesn’t have the energy anymore to work at it and he needs to move on. I should mention we did go thru marital counseling several times. In the last few years he has been searching for a deeper spiritual connection for himself, and the best summary of what he is doing is New Age involvement. He has been mad at the Catholic Church because of the sexual abuse issues and gradually has left the church. Along with him leaving the Church, our 18 yr old son no longer participates. Our daughter is Christian but essentially is no longer a practicing Catholic. When it comes down to it, I am the only one practicing my faith. I know they all need my prayers. With all this going on it’s hard to balance hoping for a miracle, being open to God’s will, and taking care of my needs related to a divorce. I know I need to see an attorneye to be sure of what I really am entitled to. My standard of living will go down substantially and currently I am putting out money from my savings for college expenses (for our son and daughter.). I write all of this in hopes I’ll get more guidance from you and be able to find more hope. Yes I do have close friends who know what I’m going through. I love my husband and I want him back. Mostly I feel if he returns to the church, we’ll have a better chance. Thanks for your support, all of you. I have started the novena to St. Monica.
 
Dear Lamb,
That was a really beautiful prayer. Thank you for sharing that with all of us. I will try to keep every word in mind and on my heart. I hope you had a Blessed Easter! Much love,
 
**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 conversion of my husband and the strong faith of my son, the conversion of all sinners in my family and of the spouses being prayed for here by CAF members,**

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.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death.
 
mom4truth said:
Diana,
HAPPY EASTER! Thank you for all the encouraging words you have given me on this thread. You are truly a “prayer warrior” and dear friend! You are in my prayers ALWAYS!
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Thank you so much Mom! I hope so very much that you, as well as all on this thread had a Happy Easter as well! I am honored to be your friend, and to pray for you and all here, I thank God each day for the opportunity to join in prayer here on CAF. May God Bless you always!
 
Pixie_Dust said:
Thank you for your prayers! Last night was a beautiful night. My son was baptized and confirmed, my husband and both daughters were confirmed and they all received First Holy Communion. I suspect you’re right about my daughter - she was “feeling sick” (yet said she wasn’t nervous :rolleyes: ) before we left but was fine when the time came for her confirmation.

Continuing to pray for all of you! :gopray2:

On Edit: There was a mother there who was being confirmed, and her husband and three kids were all baptized and confirmed. She chose Monica as her Confirmation name. 👍
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I am so happy for you pixiedust! To see your family join you in your faith, how beautiful! May God’s blessings continue to pour out upon you!
 
Lamb_Serenade said:
…
My Jesus, I have traveled Your Way of the cross. It seems so real and I feel so ashamed.

I complain of my sufferings and find obedience to the Father’s Will difficult.

My Mind bogged down by the poverty, sickness, starvation, greed and hatred in the world. There are many innocent people who suffer so unjustly. There are those born with physical and mental defects.

Do we understand that You continue to carry Your cross in the minds and bodies of each human being? Help me to see the Father’s Will in every incident of my daily life.

This is what You did - you saw the Father’s Will in Your persecutors, Your enemies and your pain. You saw a beauty in the Cross and embraced it as a desired treasure.

My worldly mind is dulled by injustice and suffering and I lose sight of the glory that is to come.

Help me to trust the Father and to realize that there is something great behind the most insignificant suffering.

There is Someone lifting my cross to fit my shoulders - there is Divine Wisdom in all the petty annoyances that irk my soul every day.

Teach me the lessons contained in my Cross, the wisdom of its necessity, the beauty of its variety and the fortitude that accompanies even the smallest cross.

Mary, My Mother, obtain for me the grace to be Jesus to my neighbor and to see my neighbor in Jesus.

Amen.
May our Risen and Glorified Savior bring you peace today when He rose from the dead to save us and all of mankind!

JESUS CHRIST IS RISEN TODAY!
ALLELUIA!!
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Lamb, Thank You! What a truly inspiring, and strength giving prayer! I have copied it for my prayer book, and will include it in my regular prayers. Bless you!
 
jaq said:
Thanks jules 11 and others who have responded to me… Mostly I feel if he returns to the church, we’ll have a better chance. Thanks for your support, all of you. I have started the novena to St. Monica.
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My dear Jaq, I will hold your family in prayer each day, with faith in God’s love and devotion. May he lift them up close to His heart so that they may feel His all-powerful love pour out upon them. May His love warm their hearts and rekindle their faith in Him, bringing all of you together in prayer, united as one voice singing out his praise! May His amazing grace shine upon you all, granting peace and love within your family, and strengthening the ties that bind families through difficult times. May God be with you all, to comfort you, and guide you in all that you do each day.

**Prayer for the Home

We beseech You, O Lord,
visit this home,
and drive far from it all the snares of the enemy;
let Your holy angels dwell therein
so as to preserve them in peace;
and let Your blessing be always upon them.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen**
 
**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 conversion of my husband and the strong faith of my children, the conversion of all sinners in my family and of the spouses being prayed for here by CAF members,

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.

Lord, I commend all husbands and wives
represented in this thread to you this day,
That you would raise us up to be men and women after your own heart.
That you would cause us to grow in wisdom and in knowledge of you
and that these husbands become holy and spiritual heads of these homes,
and that these wives become and remain vessels that shine your light continuously.
Keep us all obedient to your will and humble in mind and action.
Amen.**
 
Good morning everyone, and may our Lord Jesus’ Resurrection bring you joy and peace today!
😃
jaq said:
Originally Posted by jaq
Hi Everyone,

I’m a mother of 3, ages 26,22, and 18. I’m married but going thru a very rough time, with a husb who wants out and has at the same time left the church. He and I got together as a result of our strong Catholic faith as young adults. And now I grieve the loss of our shared faith. He has gotten himself into some NEW AGE beliefs which scare me and I have been praying to bring him back.
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Hi jaq, I’m Belle 👋

I’m sorry you’re going through so many difficult things. Many here know the pains you’re dealing with – you’re not alone.

Obviously you know New Age stuff is very dangerous, so I would enlist the counsel of a priest immediately to help you through this. And of course, pray like crazy!
Here’s a few prayers I love (in case you don’t know them already):

Prayer to our guardian angels

Angels of God, who are our guardians
To whom Merciful God entrusted all those in this thread
Enlighten and keep us this day
Guard and lead us, Amen.

(the actual prayer is Angel of God, who are my guardian, to whom Merciful God entrusted me…but I changed it to be for all my family and those in this thread)

:knight2: The St. Michael Prayer

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle
Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil
May God rebuke him we humbly pray
And do thou, O prince of the Heavenly Host
By the power of God
Cast into hell satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world, seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

No matter what you do, don’t give up. During a time when things were very turbulent in my life and my mother wasn’t sure what to pray for, she told me (later) that she just kept praying: “Keep Belle at the center of Your will for her.” There’s nowhere better than the center of God’s will, right? 😉
Pixie_Dust said:
I know this is the “husbands” thread but I wanted to ask you prayer warriors to intercede on behalf of my 12 yo dd.
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We do tend to focus on the husbands here, but don’t forget that St. Monica’s prayers for her son are likely a huge part of what turned his life around. He loved to party, wanted nothing to do with God, but all that changed…and we know him as St. Augustine, one of the most intellectual, faithful saints in our history! 👍 So, we should absolutely pray for St. Monica’s intercession for our children as well as our husbands.
Pixie_Dust said:
Thank you for your prayers! Last night was a beautiful night. My son was baptized and confirmed, my husband and both daughters were confirmed and they all received First Holy Communion.
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:extrahappy: :extrahappy: :extrahappy:
Congratulations!!!
 
Well, I have some happy news. DH went to Living Stations of the Cross with me Friday night (we left DD with DH’s brother and his wife) and it was beautiful! He also went to Easter Sunday Mass with us. One of the songs we sang was one he knew as a kid (he was raised Methodist but doesn’t practice) – on the ride home he said that when we were singing it it reminded him of his grandmother (who died last year).

So, thank you God and St. Monica for hearing my prayers and sparking his spirit so he’d attend these two things with me! (In addition to our novena here, I also prayed a Lenten novena specifically asking God that he would go to stations, Mass, that he would convert, and that he’d find a job – 2 out of 4 isn’t bad. ;))

Yesterday he also made a comment about being “ready” to start attending church again 🙂 but not liking the pastor at the church he grew up in and sees it as a stumbling block. I of course am praying he’ll convert to the RCC, but that’s a long way off (though I trust God it will happen one day). So, I’m feeling conflicted: would it be better for him to attend services somewhere rather than not at all? Or is that going to cause more strife b/c once our DD is old enough it will confuse her? It’s out of my control anyway, it’s just a lot to think about.:o
 
It is still considered a novena if you just keep praying it in loops? 😛

Novena, day 1:

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 conversion of my husband, the strong Catholic faith of our daughter,
the perpetual sobriety of my father and the renewal of my parents’ marriage,
and for all the marriages represented in 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.

Lord, I commend all husbands and wives
represented in this thread to you this day,
That you would raise us up to be men and
women after your own heart.
That you would cause us to grow in wisdom and
in knowledge of you and that these husbands
become holy and spiritual heads of these homes,
and that these wives become and remain vessels
that shine your light continuously.
Keep us all obedient to your will and humble
in mind and action.
Amen.
 
**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 conversion of my husband and the strong faith of my son, the conversion of all sinners in my family and of the spouses being prayed for here by CAF members,**

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.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death.
 
Lamb S,
Thanks so much for the beautiful prayer. I added it to my prayer folder.

Belle 10,
Wow!! It is wonderful that your husband went with you to mass and that he has an interest. We love you St. Monica!!❤️

Novena day 2

I would also like to know if it is still a Novena if I just pray in circles too?🤷
 
Belle10 said:
It is still considered a novena if you just keep praying it in loops? 😛
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I believe the “rule” is that you spend 9 days praying the novena with your intention, and the next 9 days praying the novena with thanksgiving for the intention being answered (whether it has actually been or not - it’s called faith!) Something like that… Somewhere earlier in this thread is a 54 day novena that mentions something to that effect.
 
Day one for my novena (but I will keep it a loop for all of you)…
For my husband, who is less than lukewarm,
For my son who believes, but refuses to go to church
For my sister in law who hates the Catholic faith and is emotionally punishing her Catholic husband (he just newly converted to Catholic)

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:

For my husband, who is less than lukewarm,
For my son who believes, but refuses to go to church
For my sister in law who hates the Catholic faith and is emotionally punishing her Catholic husband (he just newly converted to Catholic)
and for all the marriages represented in 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.

Lord, I commend all husbands and wives
represented in this thread to you this day,
That you would raise us up to be men and
women after your own heart.
That you would cause us to grow in wisdom and
in knowledge of you and that these husbands
become holy and spiritual heads of these homes,
and that these wives become and remain vessels
that shine your light continuously.
Keep us all obedient to your will and humble
in mind and action.
Amen.
 
***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 conversion of my husband and the strong faith of my children, the conversion of all sinners in my family and of the spouses being prayed for here by CAF members,

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.***

Lord, I commend all husbands and wives
represented in this thread to you this day,
That you would raise us up to be men and women after your own heart.
That you would cause us to grow in wisdom and in knowledge of you
and that these husbands become holy and spiritual heads of these homes,
and that these wives become and remain vessels that shine your light continuously.
Keep us all obedient to your will and humble in mind and action.
Amen.
 
Very nicely put LS…

I have just found this thread, and i have to assume that St. Monica is a patron saint of marriages? Can i get a bit more information? And is Augustine the beloved saint Augustine?

I certainly need the added/combined prayers for my own husbands conversion and release on addiction that is so
difficult to live with and not walk away. So many say run,
but upon prayer i am told not to, and that i will be a key in
his conversion. Faith is the only key that leaves me of the
decision to stay.

Lana
 
Rammy said:
Very nicely put LS…

I have just found this thread, and i have to assume that St. Monica is a patron saint of marriages? Can i get a bit more information? And is Augustine the beloved saint Augustine?
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Yep, THAT Augustine. 😃 Info on St Monica.
I certainly need the added/combined prayers for my own husbands conversion and release on addiction that is so
difficult to live with and not walk away. So many say run,
but upon prayer i am told not to, and that i will be a key in
his conversion. Faith is the only key that leaves me of the
decision to stay.
Click to expand...
Praying for you! :hug3: :signofcross:
 
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