Her Early Life

Scholastica with her twin brother Saint Benedict of Nursia were born around 480 in Nursia, Umbria, Italy, a town situated high up in the mountains. She and her brother were born into a wealthy, noble Italian family. Her mother tragically died during childbirth, which deeply affected both Scholastica and her brother. Scholastica was consecrated to God at a very early age. It is said that she was as devoted to Jesus as she was to her brother. As a child, Scholastica dedicated herself to the service of God, taking no interest in the things of this world. She lived modestly, despite being raised in a wealthy home.

So, when Saint Benedict established his monastery at Monte Cassino with a new monastic rule, Scholastica founded a convent in nearby Plombariola, about five miles south of Monte Cassino. The convent is said to have been under the direction of her brother, thus she is regarded as the first Benedictine nun. Here, Scholastica served as the abbess for her community. Scholastica’s influence and leadership enriched the spiritual life of her community where she became highly regarded for her wisdom and holiness.

Dialogues of Pope Saint Gregory the Great

Almost everything we know about Scholastica comes from the Dialogues of Pope Saint Gregory the Great who captures the holy love that Benedict and Scholastica shared.

Though Scholastica’s convent was only a few miles from Benedict’s monastery, the two would only get together once a year, in keeping with their strict rule of life. Those meetings fanned into flames their shared love for God and the fruits of their prayer and mutual calling to this new way of life. Each year they met at a nearby house and spent the day conversing on the holiest of topics.

When these twins were around the age of sixty-three, they met for what would be their final conversation on earth. They spent the day praising God and engaged in spiritual talk. After a light dinner, Saint Benedict announced that he and his companions needed to leave and return to the monastery.

Scholastica said to her brother: “Please do not leave me tonight; let us go on until morning talking about the delights of the spiritual life.”

“Sister,” he replied, “what are you saying? I simply cannot stay outside my cell.”

When she heard her brother refuse her request, the holy woman joined her hands on the table, laid her head on them and began to pray. As she raised her head from the table, there were such brilliant flashes of lightning, such great peals of thunder and such a heavy downpour of rain that neither Benedict nor his brethren could stir across the threshold of the place where they had been seated.

Sadly, he began to complain. “May God forgive you, sister. What have you done?”

She answered: “Well, I asked you for a favor, and you would not listen; so I asked my Almighty God, and he did listen. So now go off, if you can, leave me and return to your monastery.”

Therefore, Saint Benedict was obliged to comply with her request. They spent the night in conferences on pious subjects, chiefly on the felicity of the blessed, to which both most ardently aspired, and which she was shortly to enjoy. The next morning they parted.

Her Death

Three days later Scholastica died on February 10, 543 near Monte Cassino. At this same time, Benedict was in his cell. Looking up to the sky, he saw his sister’s soul leave her body in the form of a dove, and fly up to the secret places of heaven. Rejoicing in her great glory, he thanked almighty God with hymns and words of praise. He then sent his brethren to bring her body to the monastery and lay it in the tomb he had prepared for himself.

Her relics are said to have been translated into France, together with those of Saint Benedict, in the seventh century, according to the relation given by the monk Adrevald. They are said to have been deposited at Mans, France and kept in the collegiate church of Saint Peter in that city, in a rich silver shrine.

She is often depicted in art as a nun holding a crozier and a crucifix. Another common representation shows her with a dove flying from her mouth, symbolizing her ability to communicate with the Holy Spirit.

Born :                    Around 480 (unknown date)  in Nursia, Umbria, Italy

Died:                     February 10, 543 near Monte Cassino

Beatified:             Pre-Congregation

Canonized:          Pre-Congregation

Feast Day:            February 10

Patron Saint:      Against Lightning; Against Rain; Against Storms; Benedictines; Convulsive Children; Le Mans, France; Monte Cassino Abbey; Nuns; Padua, Italy

Source:

• • CatholicSaints.Info » Saint Scholastica
  • Saint Scholastica, Virgin – My Catholic Life!
  • Saint Scholastica – Saint for a Minute: Blesseds & Saints
  • Scholastica – Wikipedia

Prayers

Saint Scholastica,

You, who were a loving wife and mother to your husband and your children, faced many tribulations because of your new Catholic Faith. However, you carried out the duties of your vocation faithfully.

Please bring my petitions before God with such faithfulness!

Even as the possibility of your own death approached, you were careful to ensure the welfare of your own children by refusing to make a plea for yourself.

Pray for me, that I may carry out the duties of my own vocation faithfully. Pray that I may be a holy servant of God in my life.

Saint Margaret Clitherow, pray for us. Amen.

Video Link

Cradio Saint of the Day: Saint Scholastica – YouTube (CatholicSaints.Info)