The collect for today, the Feast of Saint Monnica (c. 331-387), mother of Saint Augustine of Hippo (source):
O Lord, who through spiritual discipline didst strengthen thy servant Monnica to persevere in offering her love and prayers and tears for the conversion of her husband and of Augustine their son: Deepen our devotion, we beseech thee, and use us in accordance with thy will to bring others, even our own kindred, to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, for ever and ever.
The Lesson: 1 Samuel 1:10-11,20
The Gospel: St. Luke 7:11-17
Artwork: Piero della Francesca, St. Monica (from Polyptych of St. Augustine), c. 1460. Tempera on panel, Frick Collection, New York.