St. Scholastica (480-547 AD)

Feast Day: February 10

Canonized: Pre-Congregation

Born in Nursia, Italy, Scholastica was St. Benedict’s twin sister. They were raised together and enjoyed a close relationship. Years after Benedict left home to pursue his studies, Scholastica left home and founded a religious convent for women at Plombariola. This was near Monte Cassino, the famous monastery in central Italy founded by her brother. She became the community’s abbess and the group was likely under Benedict’s direction.

Saint Scholastica would meet with Benedict every year at a house outside of her convent and her brother’s monastery. This particular meeting site near Monte Cassino was necessary since Scholastica was not allowed by rule to enter her brother’s monastery, and Benedict and his monks were required to spend the night in their monastery.

The siblings would spend much of their time discussing deep spiritual matters. On one particular evening, when Benedict indicated it was time for him to leave, she protested, begging him to stay so they could continue their discussions. Adhering to his rule of not staying all night outside of the monastery, Benedict declined the offer.

Scholastica bowed her head in prayer, asking God to intervene so her brother could stay with her longer. Suddenly, a violent thunderstorm arose, making her brother’s travel back to the monastery impossible. Benedict confronted his sister and accused her of provocation, to which she replied, “I asked a favor of you and you refused it. So I asked it of God and He granted it!”

Saint Scholastica died three days after this last visit. While Benedict was in his cell praying, he had a vision of his beloved sister’s soul ascending to Heaven in the form of a dove. Saint Scholastica was buried in the tomb that Benedict had prepared for himself. She is the patron saint of convulsive children and nuns. She is invoked against storms and rain.

This column is produced for Legatus by the Dead Theologians Society, a Catholic apostolate for high school-age teens and college-age young adults. On the web: deadtheologianssociety.com.