Name: The Saint Monica Club
SKU: 978-1-622827-237
Price: 14.95 USD
Rating: 5.0 (4 reviews)

How to Hope, Wait, and Pray for Your Fallen-Away Loved Ones

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In the fourth century, a young man named Augustine turned his back on the Church, plunging into a frenzied life of lust and dissipation. His renunciation left Monica, his pious Catholic mother, weeping and praying for his salvation . . . for more than a decade!

Like so many Catholics todayÂ – even perhaps like youÂ – Monica wrestled daily with the pain of having a loved one fall away from the Faith. Like us, she often feared that her prayers and tears were of little worth, empty, futile.

Not so! After nearly two decades, Augustine returned to the Faith, and in a big way. Revered today as Saint Augustine, he joined in holiness his mother, MonicaÂ – now Saint MonicaÂ – whose sacrifices, prayers, and pain finally won for both of them the crown of sanctity.

In these pages, author Maggie Green provides wise, compassionate guidance for members of what she calls “The Saint Monica Club”: good Catholics suffering like Monica the rejection of the Faith by persons they love dearly.

Herself a longtime and long-suffering member of the club, Green shows how persevering as Monica did in devoted love for straying soulsÂ – loving them as God doesÂ – will not only quiet the(more...)

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Just right

Just right. Just right in length - a relatively quick read. Just right in depth - as my husband and I read it together there were times we paused and thought deep thoughts and times we clipped along. Just right in advice - not too shallow as in 'it will all work out' or 'just leave them to themselves' but also not too overbearing as if there's a magic # of rosaries or a secret novena to bring them home. A beautiful reminder that as much as we love our children, Jesus loves them more and together with our efforts, He is doing the hard work.

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Must-Read for Parents of "Prodigal" Children

The love with which Maggie Green writes about children who qualify as "prodigals" is palpable throughout this book. Ms. Green writes to support parents whose children have left the Catholic Church, and uses short chapters to make this an easy read, but also an inspirational read. This is a must-read for parents whose children have "fallen away" from the Church. I was grateful to have this gifted to me, so that I can tuck it on my shelf and pull it out when I doubt "what I could have done differently."

Maggie Green's new book brings to print her passion for the Church and her desire that all those she loves seek and find their place at the Wedding Feast with Christ. Maggie speaks from her heart and her experience as a parent. She eloquently yet simply leads the reader through steps to be taken to bring his/her Prodigal loved ones back into the Family of Faith. Prayer, Hope, Witness and Patience are only part of her story. Maggie alerts the reader to pitfalls. She offers listening techniques. It is an excellent guide for every Catholic yet these techniques are applicable for any Christian searching for ways to help lost or wandering souls. Maggie reminds us that at times the struggle hurts, but we will grow and find deeper joy in our own spiritual journey as we endeavor to bring our loved ones back to Faith. It is a return that comes only in God's own time.

A Superb * Must-Read * for Mourning Parents

"The Saint Monica Club" became a hot potato: I immediately gave Maggie Green's book away to one who desperately needed it; I have a half dozen others in mind as well - and will be recommending it. Her offering is a tender tribute to suffering parents who often find themselves in agony over their fallen-away children. But this book is a monumental rescue mission. It is road map for troubled parents because it offers smorgasbords of practical, fruit-filled, and holy remedies to assist them in their struggle. Green's time-tested suggestions - if obliged - will carve suffering parents into saints. The writing is searing and "real" because it comes from the heart of one who has learned to offer herself up and walk straight into the pain. Eg: P. 29 "One family member is is the nail on the left, the other on the right, both connected by the body and blood of Jesus and both entrenched, refusing to budge. It is then that the Heart of the One who loves in both pierced." Ms. Green writes like a mourning Irish poet who knows the rain clouds will one-day part. Bravo.