St. Scholastica was born about 480 AD in Nursia, Italy, and was the twin sister of St. Benedict. She died near Monte Cassino about 543 AD. Almost everything we know about her comes from the Dialogues of Saint Gregory the Great, himself a monk and abbot. She was consecrated to God at a very early age, but probably continued to live in her parents’ home. Some accounts of her story indicate that she “preceded” Benedict in piety, and that he came to holiness after she did, and under her influence.
When St. Benedict established his monastery at Monte Cassino, Scholastica founded a convent nearby. The convent is said to have been under the direction of her brother, thus she is regarded as the first Benedictine nun. In fact, we do not know what rule her community followed, although it seems most likely it was the Rule of St Benedict. The case can be made that all modern Religious Orders today, for men and women, can trace their lineage back to these two “twin Saints.”
In the Second Book of the Dialogues of St. Gregory the Great, we find the story of a miracle wrought by St. Scholastica. St. Gregory recounts that “one night St. Scholastica prevailed upon her brother to disobey his Monastic Rule and, instead of returning to his Abbey with his monks, to stay with her talking and praying through the night. Though she did not tell him why, she knew her death was near. With his strong sense of justice and his obedience to the Rule, St. Benedict refused her, but her tears of supplication to God caused a sudden storm that prevented him from leaving.” When St. Gregory wondered why, in this instance, St. Benedict did not get his way, he concluded that St. Scholastica was “…able to do more because she loved more.”
Let us pray. “Lord, as we celebrate anew the memory of the Virgin Saint Scholastica, we pray that, following her example, we may serve you with pure love and happily receive what comes from loving you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you for ever and ever. Amen.”
