The patron saint of mothers is St. Monica (332–387), the mother who prayed for seventeen years for the conversion of her son, St. Augustine, and saw her prayers answered. Catholic mothers also turn to St. Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary; to St. Gerard Majella when they are expecting a child; and to St. Gianna Beretta Molla, the twentieth-century doctor and mother who gave her life for her unborn daughter. Above all, every mother can turn to Mary, the Mother of God. Below are the patron saints of mothers, Scripture on motherhood, and Catholic prayers for mothers and for a mother’s blessing.
A short prayer for mothers, written for this page:
Holy Mary, Mother of God, watch over all mothers.
Give them patience, strength and joy,
help them to love their children as you loved Jesus,
and reward every hidden sacrifice they make. Amen.
St. Monica, patron saint of mothers
Monica was born in North Africa in 332 and married a pagan, Patricius, with a violent temper, whom she won to the faith by her patience. Her eldest son, Augustine, was brilliant but lived a wild life and joined a heretical sect. For years Monica wept and prayed for him, followed him to Rome and Milan, and begged a bishop to speak to him; he told her, “It is not possible that the son of these tears should perish.” In Milan Augustine came under the influence of St. Ambrose. Augustine was baptized in 387, and Monica died soon afterwards at Ostia, at peace. She is the patron of mothers, especially of those whose children have left the faith, and her feast is August 27, the day before her son’s. See the St. Monica prayer.
Other patron saints of mothers
| For | Patron saint | Feast |
|---|---|---|
| All mothers | St. Monica | August 27 |
| Mothers and grandmothers | St. Anne | July 26 |
| Expectant mothers and pregnancy | St. Gerard Majella | October 16 |
| Mothers, doctors and the unborn | St. Gianna Beretta Molla | April 28 |
| Mothers of large families and widows | St. Elizabeth Ann Seton | January 4 |
| Wives and mothers in the world | St. Frances of Rome | March 9 |
| Grieving mothers | Our Lady of Sorrows | September 15 |
- St. Anne, the mother of Mary and grandmother of Jesus, is the patron of mothers and grandmothers. See the St. Anne prayer.
- St. Gerard Majella is the patron of expectant mothers and of safe childbirth. See the St. Gerard prayer and the Catholic prayer for pregnancy.
- St. Gianna Beretta Molla, a pediatrician, wife and mother of four, refused treatment that would have ended her unborn daughter’s life, and died a week after the birth in 1962. See St. Gianna Beretta Molla.
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton raised five children, was widowed young and founded the Sisters of Charity in America. See the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton prayer.
- Our Lady of Sorrows, who stood at the foot of the Cross, is the comfort of every mother who has lost a child. See the Seven Sorrows Rosary.
Scripture on mothers
The praise of the valiant woman (Proverbs 31:28–30, Douay-Rheims):
Her children rose up, and called her blessed: her husband, and he praised her.
Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them all.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
Catholic prayers for mothers
Written for this page.
A mother’s prayer
Lord, you have entrusted these children to me.
Give me patience when I am tired, wisdom when I do not know what to do,
gentleness when I want to shout, and faith when I am afraid for them.
St. Monica, pray for me and for my children. Amen.
A prayer for my mother
Heavenly Father, thank you for my mother and for everything she has given me.
Bless her with health, peace and joy, reward her love and sacrifices,
and if she is far from you, draw her close. Amen.
For a mother whose child has left the faith
St. Monica, you never stopped praying for your son.
Give me your perseverance and your hope.
Pray for my child, that he (she) may come home to Christ and His Church. Amen.
A blessing for mothers on Mother’s Day
May God the Father, who made you a mother, bless you.
May God the Son, who was born of the Virgin Mary, keep you in His love.
May God the Holy Spirit fill you with joy and peace.
And may Mary, our Mother, always watch over you. Amen.
See also our prayers for deceased loved ones for a mother who has died.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the patron saint of mothers?
St. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine, whose feast is August 27.
Who is the patron saint of expectant mothers?
St. Gerard Majella, whose feast is October 16.
Who is the patron saint of single mothers?
Many single mothers turn to St. Monica, who raised her children largely alone after being widowed, and to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, a widow with five children.
More prayers for families
- Sts. Perpetua and Felicity
- St. Monica prayer
- St. Anne prayer
- Patron saint of children
- Patron saints of family
- Catholic prayer for pregnancy
- St. Gianna Beretta Molla
Texts and sources
- Proverbs 31:28–30 (Douay-Rheims).