The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the Saints are “the witnesses who have preceded us into the kingdom. They contemplate God, praise him and constantly care for those whom they have left on earth. We can and should ask them to intercede for us and for the whole world” (CCC 2683). The Benedictine family is blessed to have countless such witnesses. This week we celebrate one of our great Benedictine Saints, Saint Scholastica.
St. Scholastica, patroness of the Duluth Benedictines, was the twin sister of St. Benedict. She was dedicated to God from an early age and grew beautifully in grace and wisdom. Some stories even suggest that Scholastica preceded her saintly brother in godliness and holiness! From the Dialogues of St. Gregory the Great we learn that she founded a monastery for women near her brother’s monastery in Monte Cassino.
St. Scholastica died in 574 three days after visiting with her dear brother. It is believed that St. Benedict had a vision of her soul ascending into heaven in the form of a dove.
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O God, to show us where innocence leads, you made the soul of your virgin Saint Scholastica soar to heaven like a dove in flight. Grant through hermerits and her prayers that we may so live in innocence as to attain to joys everlasting. This we ask through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.
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Sister Lisa MaurerSister Lisa Maurer was born and raised in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. Before entering the Monastery, she taught and coached in Catholic Schools within the New Ulm Diocese. Sister Lisa made her first Monastic Profession in August 2009 and on July 11, 2012, she made her Perpetual Profession. Her first ministry was working at the parishes of St. Lawrence and St. Joseph in Duluth. Currently she is the Mission Integration Manager of the Benedictine Health System.See all of Sister Lisa’s posts. |