St. Scholastica is the patron saint of students, books, nuns, and Benedictines, and she is invoked against storms and rains. Her name, “Scholastica,” means “scholar” or “she who leisurely devotes herself to her studies.” Thus, midterm season’s deluge of exams and papers presents a prime time to ask for her intercession. Her feast day is February 10.
St. Gregory the Great records the story of St. Scholastica and her twin brother, St. Benedict, in his Book II of his Dialogues. Not much is known about her early life except that she was born in A.D. 480 to a wealthy family in Italy, and she was consecrated to the Lord from her infancy. Eventually, the twin saints established religious communities within only five miles of each other near Monte Cassino. Since St. Scholastica was not allowed to enter St. Benedict’s monastery, they visited each other at a nearby farmhouse to discuss spiritual matters once a year.
During their last earthly meeting, they praised the Lord in prayer, discussed spiritual matters, and dined together. St. Benedict intended to return to his monastery that night since he forbade any monks to be out overnight. Yet, St. Scholastica entreated her brother to stay with her longer. Yet, by no means of persuasion would he grant her request as that would mean violating his own rule. Thus, St. Scholastica prayed to the Lord that her brother may stay. Suddenly, while St. Benedict was preparing for his journey, the clear sky broke into a raging storm. Seeing he could not depart, he became firm with her and said, “God, forgive you, Sister. What have you done?” She replied, “I desired you to stay, and you would not hear me; I have desired it of our good Lord, and He has granted my petition.” Not able to return due to the storm, St. Benedict and his accompanying monks, remained. The sister and brother furthered their discourse of heavenly matters and comfort of each other.
The next morning, the two parted and were never again to meet on earth. During prayer three days later, St. Benedict beheld a vision of his sister’s soul ascending in the likeness of a white dove. Rejoicing, he announced the death of his sister to his monks and had them bring her body to his monastery and he laid her in the tomb he had prepared for himself. His death soon followed. St. Gregory compares the twin saints, “Therefore, as is right, she who loved more, did more” which highlights St. Scholastica’s love for her brother and realization that “God is charity” (1 John 4:8), demonstrated by her plead with the Lord. The life of St. Scholastica reflects the Lord’s love and goodness through her deep love for her brother.
Let us ask St. Scholastica for her intercession: as she showed charity for her brother, St. Benedict, may we have great love for our sisters and brothers in Christ, and may we honor the Lord with our earthly lives so that we may eventually rejoin as one in Christ everlastingly.
Featured Issue (Cropped) Courtesy of Wolfgang Sauber via Wikimedia
Lourdes Macaspac, graduate of the class of 2021, wrote for The Torch as a C101 writer during her first three years and as a Faith Feature Columnist during her senior year. At BC, she majored in a bunch of things, enjoyed giving her time to service, and cared greatly for her friends. Through the fleeting sweet and sometimes chaotic moments, she rediscovered the meaning of her life: sanctity.
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