Love Watches from Afar

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Merciful Father, you sustained St. Monica through years of prayer for those she loved. Through her intercession, give me patience when change is slow, wisdom in my words, and hope when someone seems far from you. Receive every tear I cannot explain, and draw my family more deeply into the life of Christ. Amen.

Let us pause in silence, and bring to mind the intention you are praying for.

In the app, your own saved intention rests here during the silence. The narration stays the same for everyone.

He arose and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran, fell on his neck, and kissed him.

Monica loved Augustine through years when she could not choose his path for him. The father in Jesus' parable shows the shape of faithful love: watching, longing, and remaining ready to welcome without forcing the return. We can entrust those we love to a mercy larger than our reach.

Father of mercy, you see the person I am praying for even when they seem far away. Keep my love from becoming control, panic, or accusation. Through St. Monica's intercession, make me patient, compassionate, and ready to welcome every step toward home. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

St. Monica, faithful mother and patient intercessor, carry my intention before God. Pray for every family divided by unbelief, resentment, addiction, or distance. Teach me to love without controlling, to speak truth with gentleness, and to persevere without despair, trusting the mercy that led Augustine to baptism and sustained your family. Amen.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.