My vote: Joanna
Monica is the patron saint of (among other patronages) disappointing children. I feel that sums up her life, unfortunately. She has come down through history as a nagging mother whose main purpose in life seems to be keeping an eye on her son. She may have inspired him, but she deserves better.
Joanna is mentioned by name in the Bible, in Luke 8:3 and Luke 24:10. Joanna seems to have supported Jesus and his disciples “out of (her) resources” probably meaning money. Along with Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of James, Joanna was one of the first people to spread the news of Jesus’ resurrection, even though the apostles didn’t believe it. At least one scholar has (credibly, in my opinion) identified Joanna as the same person as Junia mentioned by St. Paul in Romans 16:7, who was in prison with him and he describes as “prominent among the apostles, and (she was) in Christ before I was.” Women were integral to Jesus’ ministry from the beginning and Joanna/Junia proves it, which is why she gets my vote.
Monica is the patron saint of (among other patronages) disappointing children. I feel that sums up her life, unfortunately. She has come down through history as a nagging mother whose main purpose in life seems to be keeping an eye on her son. She may have inspired him, but she deserves better.
Joanna is mentioned by name in the Bible, in Luke 8:3 and Luke 24:10. Joanna seems to have supported Jesus and his disciples “out of (her) resources” probably meaning money. Along with Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of James, Joanna was one of the first people to spread the news of Jesus’ resurrection, even though the apostles didn’t believe it. At least one scholar has (credibly, in my opinion) identified Joanna as the same person as Junia mentioned by St. Paul in Romans 16:7, who was in prison with him and he describes as “prominent among the apostles, and (she was) in Christ before I was.” Women were integral to Jesus’ ministry from the beginning and Joanna/Junia proves it, which is why she gets my vote.
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