Saint Scholastica
February 10, 2025
St. Scholastica is the sister of St. Benedict, founder of the Benedictine Order. For more information go to
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https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-scholastica/ |
Saint of the Day is used with permission from Franciscan Media (www.FranciscanMedia.org).
This painting from the entrance of The College of St. Scholastica shows a poignant encounter between St. Scholastica and her brother, St. Benedict. They would meet every year at a farmhouse midway between their respective monasteries, to share thoughts of sacred things and, no doubt, the problems that arise in any community of flawed human beings. As one of these days was drawing to a close, Scholastica asked her brother to remain with her so they could continue their conversation through the night. Benedict refused, reminding her that his Rule did not permit monks to stay outside of their monastery overnight unless on a long journey.
Scholastica then bowed her head and prayed, and a sudden thunderstorm swept down on them. Benedict cried, “Sister! What have you done?” and she replied, “I asked you a favor and you refused, so I asked God, and he granted it.”
Benedict left the next morning, most likely chastened by the experience, and a few days later had a vision of his sister’s spirit ascending to heaven in the form of a dove. He buried her in his own crypt at the Monastery of Montecassino, and after his death was buried with her.