St. Scholastica
Born: c. 480 CE
Died: February 10, 542 CE
Feast day: February 10
Patron saint of: Education, Benedictine nuns
St. Scholastica and her twin brother Benedict grew up together in central Italy. According to The Dialogues of St. Gregory the Great, a narrative of the lives of some of Italy’s saints, Scholastica and Benedict remained close throughout their adult lives. Scholastica founded a community of religious nuns near Monte Cassino, five miles from where her brother Benedict governed a monastic community of men. During this time, the two were known to have met annually to pray and discuss God’s Word and work. It is said that at the end of one of these meetings, Scholastica begged her brother to stay the night instead of returning to his monastery. When he refused, Scholastica fervently prayed for rain and so much fell that travel was impossible. With that, Scholastica, Benedict, and their companions spent the night in prayer and conversation. Scholastica’s deep friendship with her brother serves as a model of Christian friendship grounded in Christ and marked by mutual affection, hospitality, and love. She is often portrayed holding the Rule of St. Benedict, written by her brother, which begins by imploring readers to listen with the ears of their heart.
Image: Jean Baptiste de Champaigne - Art UK, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons
