Remember Me at the Altar

Aug 26

Today, the Christian community commemorates Augustine of Hippo, a renowned philosopher, theologian, bishop, saint, and Doctor of the Church. Yesterday was the feast of his sainted mother, St. Monica. The two are united on the church calendar because they were so united in life. Monica spent her whole life praying for her son. Like many mothers, Monica shed many tears for her children. She followed him literally and spiritually throughout his journey back to the Catholic faith. This lasted many decades, but Monica was always accompanying her son in prayer. When Augustine was finally baptized at the age of 33 in Milan, his mother was at his side.

Shortly after that Easter, Monica became very ill. Her older son was worried since they were so far away from their home. He wanted to find a boat that could sail home in time for her to die and be buried in North Africa. Monica told her sons, “Bury my body anywhere. Let not the care for it trouble you at all. I only ask one thing of you: that you remember me at the altar of the Lord (Augustine’s Confessions, Book 9, chapter 11).”

The closeness of this mother and son would continue after the death of Monica, and for all eternity. Augustine would remember his mother when he celebrated Mass, and he told her story as part of his own spiritual biography. Throughout his life and his writings, Augustine remembered his mother and his duty to always pray for her.

Today, the Church remembers and prays for the dead at every Mass. Each version of the Eucharistic Prayer has a unique way of recalling “our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection (Eucharistic Prayer II).” The Eucharistic Prayer for Various Needs and Occasions asks: “Grant also to us, when our earthly pilgrimage is done, that we may come to an eternal dwelling place and live with you forever.”

In our modern society, as mourning rituals have changed, evidence suggests that the practice of visiting cemeteries is becoming less common. With more mobility and advances in technology, many people are choosing new methods and ways to honor their loved ones. Yet, the need to remember remains.

The example of Monica and Augustine is a reminder that wherever we are, we can remember our loved ones who have died “in the peace of Christ…and all the dead (Eucharistic Prayer IV).” At Mass, in private prayer, and in our hearts, we can always remember our loved ones. Like Monica, we can accompany our families in this life and the next - physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

St. Francis de Sales once said, “friendships begun in this world will be taken up again, never to be broken off.” Friends and family accompany us throughout our journey in life; we believe this support continues in the next life. Through our prayers and participation at the Eucharist, we know our love and devotion live on, too.