(C.D. Stampley Enterprises, Charlotte, NC 2001). Used with permission.

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For cloistered nuns

St. Scholastica (c.480-547)

Feast day: February 10

As her brother St. Benedict is the father of monks in the Western Church, St. Scholastica is the mother of all orders of cloistered nuns. From her convent on Monte Cassino, the Benedictine sisters spread across the globe.

An old tradition tells us that Scholastica and Benedict were twins whose mother died giving birth to them. They were born in the province of Nursia, near Assisi, in what is now Umbria. As landowners the twins’ parents were well-off but the family was not part of the aristocracy.

While she was still a child, perhaps from the time of her birth, Scholastica’s father dedicated her to God. We do not know when she left her home to live with other religious women. We do know however that when Benedict founded his monastery at Monte Cassino Scholastica moved there and founded the convent that became the motherhouse of all Benedictine nuns.

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Scholastica’s convent was located about five miles from Benedict’s monastery. Since men were not permitted inside the convent and women were not permitted inside the monastery, once a year Benedict and Scholastica met at a small house halfway between their two religious communities. The story of what happened the last time the brother and sister met comes to us from {ln:Pope} St. Gregory the Great; he testifies that he heard the story from four of Benedict’s disciples.

Benedict had brought a few monks from the Abbey to share his visit with Scholastica. After passing a pleasant day in conversation and prayer, they ate dinner together and lingered so long talking after the meal that before anyone realized it had grown very late. Benedict rose to leave but Scholastica pleaded with him to stay a little longer. “Please,” she said, “do not leave me tonight. Stay, and we will talk about heaven until morning.”

Benedict was surprised that his sister would suggest that they break the Rule. “What are saying,” he said. “You know I can’t stay away from the monastery all night.”

Scholastica bowed her head and folded her hands on the table, the very picture of resignation. Benedict and his monks had barely stepped toward the door when a flash of lightning split the night sky and a violent storm shook the little house. Benedict turned on his sister whose head was still bowed. “God forgive you! What have you done?”

Scholastica looked her brother in the eye and said, “When I asked you for a favor you would not listen to me. So I asked God, and he heard my prayer. Go ahead—leave if you can. Leave me and return to your monastery.”

Seeing that he was defeated Benedict sat down and spent the rest of the night talking with Scholastica. The next morning the storm abated and brother and sister returned to their communities.

Three days later Benedict was looking out the window of his cell when he saw Scholastica’s soul flying to Heaven in the shape of a white dove. He sent some of his monks to Scholastica’s convent to carry her body to Monte Cassino where Benedict buried it in the tomb he had prepared for himself. Three years later when Benedict died he was buried in the same vault. Sister and brother are still enshrined together in the crypt of the Abbey of Monte Cassino.

While some Benedictine sisters pursue an active apostolate teaching or nursing, many Benedictine nuns follow the original charism of their order as it was laid down by St. Scholastica, living a life devoted to prayer and contemplation.

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Prayer to the saints is a powerful thing.

Now, with Saints for Every Occasion, readers can quickly find help for any challenge they face – no matter how large or small. Author Thomas J. Craughwell profiles 101 patron saints from various continents, cultures and times – from saints who were contemporaries of Christ, to modern patrons like Padre Pio and Faustina Kowalska. Each saint lived heroically in difficult times and circumstances, providing powerful examples of how to turn almost any obstacle into a source of grace. Along with old favorites such as St. Anthony and St. Jude, Craughwell offers patrons for specifically modern concerns, including, for example, saints to watch over astronauts, internet users and environmental activists. Beautifully illustrated and entertainingly told, Saints for Every Occasion features 101 patron saints readers will seek out time and again.

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