The church father Augustine writes of the important role played by his mother's faithful intercession for him during his years of waywardness:

My mother asked [a bishop] in his kindness to have some discussion with me, to refute my errors, to unteach me what was evil and teach me what was good…

He refused…. He told her that I was as yet not ripe for teaching….

"But," said he, "let him alone. Only pray to the Lord for him: he will himself discover by reading what his error is…."

My mother would not be satisfied but urged him with repeated entreaties and floods of tears to see me and discuss with me.

He, losing patience, said: "Go your way; as sure as you live, it is impossible that the son of these tears should perish."