She was not specifically the Patron Saint of Patience but she had a wayward son, a cantankerous mother-in-law and a volatile husband.
Mr Finlayson - who has been embedded in prenegotiation talks with Ngapuhi for what seems like forever - has a great deal in common with Saint Monica.
But that is Ngapuhi - a colourful iwi not about to change overnight, that is making encouraging but slow progress towards settlement.
That alone is one reason Mr English should front.
Instead, he will be in Auckland and will avoid the tricky Ngapuhi waters.
Sad, given Parliament is no stranger to the disrespectful conduct cited by Mr English as a factor in his Te Tii snub.
It's also sad we focus on the PM "will he won't he" debate when more significant issues are being raised at Waitangi this year.
An annual Waitangi Day hikoi is a tradition, and this year, organisers have switched focus.
Instead of the environment and land issues being highlighted, organisers have responded to the feedback given to them in relation to challenges facing Northland and New Zealand right now.
And so this year the hikoi highlights P and the damage it is causing to our society.
That is a far more worthy cause worth grandstanding for than the traditional "Ps" of politicians and protesters.
