Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Luke (7: 11-17) in which Jesus, when he saw the widow who was burying her son, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry". Afterwards, Fr Paul shares a little about the life of St Monica whose memorial we celebrate today.

Fr Paul says, Monica was born at Thagaste in Africa of a Christian family. She was married young, to Patricius, and among her children was Augustine. He had a brilliant intellect and uncertain morals and a wayward spirituality. So, with many tears she prayed unceasingly to God for his conversion and her prayers were answered shortly before she died. She had a deep faith and outstanding virtue and is a wonderful example of a Christian mother.

So today, Fr Paul invites us to ask, 'St Monica… Pray for us!'