Monica, Augustine's mother, has been historically eclipsed by her famous son, yet she stands as a theologian, philosopher, and the true founder of Augustinianism who shaped early Christian thought far beyond her role as Augustine's mother.• Monica wasn't exclusively focused on Augustine but cared deeply for all her children, once exiling Augustine to protect her other children from his Manichaean ideas• As a widow in early Christianity, Monica held an important leadership position that was almost like a church office, giving her spiritual authority and respect• The rediscovery of Monica's relics in Italy sparked renewed interest in her legacy and highlighted her often overlooked African identity• Monica should be recognized as the founder of Augustinian thought, with Augustine's famous "Rule" based on his sister Perpetua's abbey rule, which itself stemmed from Monica's guidance• Despite lacking formal philosophical training, Monica possessed theological insights that Augustine himself acknowledged as superior to academic approaches• Our narrow view of Monica comes from overreliance on Augustine's "Confessions" rather than his letters and other writings that reveal a more complete pictureTo appreciate Monica fully, we must engage with the broader historical record beyond the Confessions and see her as the powerful theologian and founder of the Augustinian tradition she truly was.
The theme music is "Wager with Angels" by Nathan Moore