Animated by hope, grounded in faith. 

The St. Monica Ministry is a dedicated community and prayer network offering hope and support to the families and friends of fallen-away Catholics. In imitation of St. Monica, who persevered in petition and self-denial for the sake of her son Augustine’s return to the Faith, the members of the St. Monica Ministry pray, fast, and care unconditionally for loved ones who have left the Church.

The ministry was formed in November 2022 at the behest of the Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, Bishop of the Diocese of Allentown, PA. What started as a gathering of local Catholics has become a global outreach, with forty parish-based chapters in the U.S. and subscribers on five continents. All that is needed to become a member of the St. Monica Ministry is to have your name added to our mailing list. 

Do you feel lost and alone in prayer? Do you desire hope for your prodigal's return?

The St. Monica Ministry prays regularly for its members and for its members’ intentions. The ministry sponsors monthly Holy Hours of Petition and Hope, encourages recitation of the Rosary of Supplication for Our Prodigals, and promotes the Green Scapular devotion as a means of invoking Our Lady’s help. Masses are offered through Mass associations and at St. Theresa Church in Hellertown, PA, the home parish of the St. Monica Ministry. 

Do you feel responsible for your prodigal's choices? Do you struggle to communicate with your fallen-away loved one?

As a support community, the St. Monica Ministry has a strong relational dimension. We know what you are going through because we are walking that same road. St. Monica Ministry meetings and book discussions provide a place of compassion and understanding. The ministry also promotes fellowship through its special events, including an annual Mass and dinner on August 27, the Memorial of St. Monica. 

St. Monica Ministry Icon

The St. Monica image featured in the page header is the St. Monica Ministry’s official icon.  The icon was lovingly created by a retired priest of the Diocese of Allentown, PA, who imagined it as an alternative to representations depicting St. Monica as despondent or haggard. Our St. Monica is holding a scroll that reads “Nothing is far from God.” These words, once spoken by St. Monica herself, assure us that, even when our loved ones are far from the Church, they remain in God’s sight and under His care. The serene expression on the face of the icon’s St. Monica reflects our patron’s unflagging confidence in God’s mercy, as well as the certainty of salvation for her unbelieving loved ones. The original St. Monica Ministry icon is displayed for veneration at every Holy Hour of Petition and Hope (see below) held at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish, with prints of the image displayed during Holy Hours at parishes with St. Monica Ministry chapters.

St. Monica Ministry Holy Hour of Petition and Hope

The Holy Hour of Petition and Hope is a powerful and moving devotion.  In the presence of the Most Blessed Sacrament, we ask Our Lord’s mercy and invoke St. Monica’s intercession for the return of our prodigals to the Faith. There are several distinguishing elements to the Holy Hour of Petition and Hope.  These elements – the signing of the Book of Petition, the lighting of Candles of Entreaty, and the praying of the Rosary of Supplication for Our Prodigals – all help to strengthen our sense of community, nurture our hope, and renew our sense of purpose. Please see the below Calendar of Events for information on our next Holy Hour.

St. Monica Ministry Meetings

The strong relational dimension of the St. Monica Ministry is expressed through its meetings.  Meetings offer a space for those who may desire to (1) share and reflect on their experiences, (2) overcome a possible sense of isolation, (3) receive practical suggestions for relating to fallen-away loved ones, (4) find acceptance, and (5) know that they are not alone.  By connecting with faithful Catholics who are walking the same road, many have found solidarity, solace, and the strength to journey lovingly with their prodigals. Please see the below Calendar of Events for information on upcoming meetings.

St. Monica Ministry Book Discussions

A standard component of the St. Monica Ministry meeting is the book discussion.  Because it is natural to feel disheartened when one’s loved ones are away from the Church, the books selected for discussion are those that offer reasons for hope, as well as practical tips for strengthening our relationships with our prodigals. Please see the below Calendar of Events for information on upcoming book discussions.

St. Monica Ministry Newsletter

The St. Monica Ministry newsletter is emailed to subscribers on a monthly basis.  Each issue contains items of interest to faithful Catholics who are praying for fallen-away loved ones.  For those residing in or near the Diocese of Allentown, the newsletter also contains information on upcoming Holy Hours and meetings taking place at the ministry’s founding parish of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus in Hellertown, as well as information on St. Monica Ministry events happening in the diocese. To subscribe to the newsletter, please email [email protected] or scan the QR code.

St. Monica Ministry “Prayers for Prodigals” 

The "Prayers for Prodigals" list, comprised of thirty prodigals’ names, appears monthly in the St. Monica Ministry newsletter. The list is updated with each newsletter issue. Members are asked to “adopt” a different prodigal on each day of the month, lifting up that prodigal in prayer and offering up works and sufferings for his or her salvation. Would you like the members of the St. Monica Ministry to pray and sacrifice for your prodigal’s return to the Faith?  If so, please send your name, the name of your parish, and the first name(s) of your prodigal(s)to [email protected]. Please note that only the first names of prodigals will be shared.

St. Monica Ministry “Wayfaring St. Monica”

When her wayward son Augustine set sail for Rome, St. Monica hiked up her tunic and boarded a boat in pursuit, enduring all manner of travel-related hardships in order to stay close to her son. Through our Wayfaring St. Monica program, we honor St. Monica for her perseverance in prayer while far from the comforts of home. 

Here is how the program works:  A host individual (or family) displays a print of our St. Monica icon in his home, and invites friends and family to come take part in an informal devotional service.  The service consists of an opening prayer, a reading of the Parable of the Prodigal Son, a period of silent reflection, recitation of the Rosary of Supplication for Our Prodigals, an optional sharing aloud of prayer intentions, and the recitation of the Litany of the Wayfaring St. Monica. If participants are unfamiliar with St. Monica’s life and patronage, it is recommended that the opening prayer be followed by an introduction to our patroness. (Resources are provided upon request.) The host may choose to serve refreshments after the close of the service. 

The Wayfaring St. Monica program offers (1) an option for community prayer to those unable to attend St. Monica Ministry Holy Hours and meetings, (2) a chance to spread devotion to St. Monica beyond the parish community, (3) an opportunity to spend time in private prayer before our beautiful St. Monica icon, and (4) an occasion to introduce St. Monica to those who may not know her. All resources for conducting a Wayfaring St. Monica devotional - including a print of the icon and a copy of the devotional containing recommended prayers - are available at no cost.  Please email [email protected] if you are interested in taking part in the Wayfaring St. Monica program.