The Portuguese edition of Vatican News features an interview with Victoria Bar, a member of the Community of Christian Mothers of Saint Monica in Rio de Janeiro. Her testimony shows how prayer, formation, and shared life help mothers accompany their children’s journey with hope.
On the occasion of the liturgical memorial of Saint Monica, the Portuguese edition of Vatican News has published an interview conducted by journalist Poliana Ferreira with Victoria Bar, a mother of five and a member of the Community of Christian Mothers of Saint Monica in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The conversation presents the spirituality and way of life of those known as the Monica Mothers—women who, following the example of the mother of Saint Augustine, come together to pray for the faith and lives of their children and families.
Two generations of Monica Mothers
Victoria’s relationship with Augustinian spirituality began in 1994, when she enrolled at St. Augustine School in Leblon. Years later, her family moved to Barra da Tijuca and she began attending St. Augustine School–Novo Leblon.
It was then that her mother, Adriana, joined the Community of Christian Mothers of Saint Monica. Victoria, for her part, took part in the Augustinian Recollect Youth (JAR), where her connection to the Augustinian charism continued to grow.
Over time, as she married and also became a mother, Victoria discovered that the community she had come to know through her own mother now had much to offer her. Her spiritual director, Friar Francisco José Ariza Bertos, encouraged her to form a new Monica Mothers chapter together with some friends. After completing their preparation, they received the bestowal of the medals in 2016.
The story of Adriana and Victoria thus represents two generations of women united by the same mission: entrusting their children’s lives to God through persevering prayer.
A mother prays each day for all the children
In the interview, Victoria explains that each chapter is traditionally made up of seven mothers. Each one takes a day of the week to pray for all the children in the group, so that prayer remains alive every day.
This dynamic gives mothers the certainty that their children are continually being presented before the Lord, even at times when worries or daily obligations make personal prayer difficult.
However, the Monica Mothers are much more than a prayer group. A true community is formed among them, where they can share the joys, concerns, and difficulties of motherhood. Formation also holds a central place, with meetings to learn more about Saint Monica, the life of Saint Augustine, and Augustinian spirituality.
In Barra da Tijuca, the community usually celebrates its monthly Eucharist on the 27th, in remembrance of the feast of Saint Monica, which the Church commemorates every August 27. Before the celebration, a formation session is offered for participants.
The prayer that sustains motherhood
As a mother of five, Victoria presents motherhood as a great treasure entrusted by God. Educating, she notes, does not consist only in preparing good citizens, but also in helping men and women of integrity to grow—capable of facing the challenges of the world from the perspective of faith.
Saint Monica becomes for her a model of hope and perseverance, especially during her children’s adolescence, when mothers discover that they cannot be present at every moment or prevent every difficulty.
In such circumstances, prayer makes it possible to trust that God continues to accompany each child. The example of the mother of Saint Augustine reminds us that no prayer offered with love is in vain: “It is impossible to lose a child after so many tears.”
A gift received on Saint Monica’s day
Victoria also shares with Vatican News a particularly meaningful experience. During week 34 of her first pregnancy, she felt that something was not right. Although there were no obvious signs, she went to the hospital and doctors confirmed that the baby was in distress. An emergency cesarean section was necessary.
The child was born alive, but had to remain in intensive care. Victoria also went through a difficult delivery and needed a blood transfusion. After being discharged, she returned home without the child she had so long awaited, while continuing to visit him and pray so that she could soon take him home with her.
The answer came on August 27, the feast of Saint Monica, when her son was discharged from the hospital. Since then, that date has had a double meaning for Victoria: she celebrates the saint who inspires her motherhood and once again gives thanks for the life of her firstborn.
At the end of the interview, Victoria acknowledges that if she could meet Saint Monica, before asking her a question she would want to embrace her and thank her for her example of faith. Only afterward would she entrust to her a concern that sums up the search of so many Christian mothers: “Am I on the right path?”
The full interview, conducted by Poliana Ferreira, can be read in the Portuguese edition of Vatican News, the outlet to which we are grateful for the information and testimonies gathered in this article. The Augustinian Recollects thank the Vatican’s official media outlet for having highlighted this ministry on a day so special for the entire Augustinian family.
