February 10
Saint Scholastica
Abbess
First Benedictine Nun
(Around 480 – 543)
“I asked you a favor, and you refused it me; I asked it of Almighty God, and he did listen.”
Saint Scholastica’s after her twin brother Saint Benedict of Nursia refused to stay with her and talk through the night
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
Reflection
Saint Scholastica wasn’t wanting her twin brother, Saint Benedict of Nursia, to stay and pray with her out of loneliness or selfishness. Rather, Saint Scholastica wanted him to stay with her so that he could join her in loving and praising God together, one last time. It was her parting gift to him — the reminder that his love for God needed to be the basis of all things. She reminded him of the importance of relationship, with God and with each other.
What will you do today to demonstrate your love of your brother(s) and/or your sister(s) (even if they are not a twin like Saint Scholastica and Saint Benedict of Nursia), and your love of God and the importance of these relationships to you?
Prayers
Saint Scholastica,
Devoted sister of Saint Benedict and faithful bride of Christ, we come before you in prayer, seeking your intercession and inspiration.
Your life of prayer, humility, and devotion to God reminds us of the beauty of a heart wholly given to the Lord.
Help us to cultivate a deeper prayer life, so that we may grow closer to God and trust in His divine will.
You valued the bond of love, cherishing your relationship with your brother, Saint Benedict.
Teach us to nurture our relationships with love and respect, building a spirit of harmony and mutual support in our families and communities.
Intercede for us in our needs and petitions, so that we may experience God’s providence and mercy in our lives, so we may live each day with gratitude and hope.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Saint Scholastica, pray for us. Amen.
Saint Links
A Dictionary Of Saintly Women, Volume 1 by Agnes B. C. Dunbar – St. Scholastica
Aleteia – Prayer to follow the example of St. Scholastica
America Needs Fatima – Saint Scholastica
AnaStpaul – Saint of the Day -10 February – St Scholastica
Catholic Culture – Catholic Prayer: Litany of Saint Scholastica
Catholic Exchange – Saint Scholastica
Catholic Fire – St. Scholastica
Catholic Ireland – Feb 10 – St Scholastica (480-543)
Catholic Lane – St. Scholastica, Abbess
Catholic News Agency – St. Scholastica Feast day: Feb 10
Catholic News World – Saint February 10 : St. Scholastica – 1st Catholic Nun and St. Benedict’s Twin Sister
Catholic Online – St. Scholastica
CatholicSaints.Info – Saints of the Day – Scholastica – by Katherine I Rabenstein
Daily Prayers – Scholastica
Editions Magnificant – Saint Scholastica Abbess (480-543)
Franciscan Media – Saint Scholastica
Independent Catholic News – St Scholastica
Loyola Press – Saint Scholastica Feast day February 10
Melanie Rigney – Scholastica
National Catholic Register – St. Scholastica — She Could Do More, Because She Loved More
Newman Ministry – Saint Scholastica
RC Spirituality (Uncle Eddy) – St. Scholastica
Reason2BCatholic – Saints Alive! | St. Scholastica
Rev Alban Butler’s Lives Of The Saints Complete Edition – St Scholastica, Virgin
Saint for a Minute – Saint Scholastica
Saint Mary’s Press – Saint Scholastica (480-c.543)
Saint Resources – Scholastica of Nursia
Saints Alive – St. Scholastica of Nursia
Tradition in Action – St. Scholastica – February 10 by Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira
uCatholic – Saint Scholastica
Vatican News – St. Scholastica, Virgin, Sister of St. Benedetto
Video Link
Cradio Saint of the Day: Saint Scholastica – YouTube (CatholicSaints.Info)