St Monica

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Monica37

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I asked this question before, but I don’t know where it went so if it’s posted twice, sorry. I have a friend who is going through a rough time with her marriage. Obviously, I suggested she pray to St Monica. She asked me what offering to give St Monica in return for her help and I must admit, I didn’t know. We both know that the Saints pray for us because they want to and because they love us, but sometimes there is a small token given back in appreciation. We just can’t find one that would usually be given to St Monica. Anyone know the answer to this?

thanks!
 
I’ve never heard of such a practice and would be oppossed to it for giving the impression that one is trying to “buy favor.” The saints neither want nor need anything we can offer. The furthest I would go is to, regardless of the answer the prayer receives, to spread the word that St. Monica is a powerful prayer partner. I attribute the conversion of my ex-wife from JW to Catholic to the intercession of Monica.
 
Monica37 said:
She asked me what offering to give St Monica in return for her help and I must admit, I didn’t know.
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Thank you will probably do it. 😃

(and, as the other poster mentioned, telling others about her and Jesus.) 👍

Tell your friend she can join us in the sticky devoted to St. Monica in the Family Life section of CAF if she wants to. 🙂
 
Monica37 said:
I asked this question before, but I don’t know where it went so if it’s posted twice, sorry. I have a friend who is going through a rough time with her marriage. Obviously, I suggested she pray to St Monica. She asked me what offering to give St Monica in return for her help and I must admit, I didn’t know. We both know that the Saints pray for us because they want to and because they love us, but sometimes there is a small token given back in appreciation. We just can’t find one that would usually be given to St Monica. Anyone know the answer to this?

thanks!
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The best thing to give back is by following her example and by following Christ.
 
Yerusalyim said:
I’ve never heard of such a practice and would be oppossed to it for giving the impression that one is trying to “buy favor.” The saints neither want nor need anything we can offer. The furthest I would go is to, regardless of the answer the prayer receives, to spread the word that St. Monica is a powerful prayer partner. I attribute the conversion of my ex-wife from JW to Catholic to the intercession of Monica.
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IMG]http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/lkddav/cattitude.jpg
 
If you wanted to offer a token of your appreciation, I would suggest volunteering at a womens shelter, or an abuse hotline. Doing something in the vein of her patronage would be an appropriate thanksgiving for answered prayers.

You can always pray the Novena on the St. Monica sticky and then offer the same number of days in prayer as thanksgiving.
 
I showed my friend your replies and we were wondering if this may be an Hispanic tradition. She is Hispanic and said that she would give a rose to St Rita when she would pray to her. Just a thought that this may be more of a cultural thing.
 
Thank you Rawb. That is exactly what she was talking about. Does anyone know the ex votive for St Monica?
 
Monica37 said:
I We both know that the Saints pray for us because they want to and because they love us, but sometimes there is a small token given back in appreciation. !
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Lifelong Catholic and have never heard of this custom.
just pray
 
Monica37 said:
Thank you Rawb. That is exactly what she was talking about. Does anyone know the ex votive for St Monica?
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The ex-voto is something a little bit different. A person makes a vow when asks for intercession from a Saint. Once the prayers is answered and the person maintains the vow, then the person usually does something or leaves a small medal or image by the statue of the Saint. That is to signify that the Saint interceded and that the person maintained the vow.
 
We have both St. Monica’s and St. Augustine’s parishes in New Orleans. There are no Litanies to either of which I am familiar. However, down here votive candles are a necessary part of our liturgical life and people regularly light a votive candle to seek answers to a prayer and then again in thanksgiving for prayers answered. Nor is it unusual to see flowers placed at the feet of a statue. This is not my prayer but I did find it on the internet for you:

"But you can certainly make your own novena by praying for Monica’s intercession and inspiration in your own words. Or you can take the opening prayer from the Mass of her feast and use that: "God of mercy, comfort of those in sorrow, the tears of St. Monica moved you to convert her son, St. Augustine, to the faith of Christ. By their prayers, help us to turn from our sins and to find your loving forgiveness.

“Grant this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.”

Hope this helps.
 
Yerusalyim said:
I’ve never heard of such a practice and would be oppossed to it for giving the impression that one is trying to “buy favor.” The saints neither want nor need anything we can offer. The furthest I would go is to, regardless of the answer the prayer receives, to spread the word that St. Monica is a powerful prayer partner. I attribute the conversion of my ex-wife from JW to Catholic to the intercession of Monica.
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The only time I have heard of it is towards St. Jude. Some people offer some type of money to God, i.e. donation to a Church, hospital, etc.
 
Monica37 said:
I asked this question before, but I don’t know where it went so if it’s posted twice, sorry. I have a friend who is going through a rough time with her marriage. Obviously, I suggested she pray to St Monica. She asked me what offering to give St Monica in return for her help and I must admit, I didn’t know. We both know that the Saints pray for us because they want to and because they love us, but sometimes there is a small token given back in appreciation. We just can’t find one that would usually be given to St Monica. Anyone know the answer to this?

thanks!
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A very common practice despite what some may think.

Giving alms, having a Mass offered, giving to a Mission or Church named after her (or any Saint whose helped us). If we can’t afford these, light a candle, do an act of charity (or penance), offer up the day, etc in honor of the Saint.

Let a thank you also accompany it, and of course thanking the Lord for hearing the prayers of this Saint on your behalf. Telling others of your “miracle” and spreading devotion to the Saint.

Those are my suggestions, all of which I got from the Saints themselves. Hope this helps.
 
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