About our churches and parishes
St. Sabina
Richard Avenue,
Brightlingsea
St Sabina’s feast day is August 29th. Supposedly Sabina was converted to Christianity by her Syrian servant Serapia. Sabina began to organise house masses for the growing numbers of Christians in the city of Rome. During the persecution of Emperor Hadrian, Serapia suffered martyrdom for her Christian faith. It is believed that St Sabina was murdered for her faith about a month later. The renowned basilica on the Aventine in Rome is dedicated to and named after her.
St. Monica
De Vere Lane,
Wivenhoe
St Monica’s feast day is August 27th. She was born around 331 and was the mother of St Augustine of Hippo. Monica had tried to bring him up as a Christian, but he was ambitious for worldly success, and he rejected Christianity. This rejection of faith and a relationship with an unknown woman, caused Monica much distress. A bishop whom she had consulted gave her the reassurance: “It is not possible that the son of so many tears should be lost.” In 383, Monica followed her son to Italy and three years later she “rejoiced triumphantly” when Augustine embraced Christianity and was baptised. She died at the port of Ostia on the Tiber in 387.
In April 2007 we celebrated the 40th anniversary of St. Monica’s with a Mass of Thanksgiving
History of St. Monica’s
For more information about the history of St. Monica’s, visit the Wivenhoe Town Council website: A brief History of St. Monica
