St. Scholastica
Feast Day: February 10
People who live in monasteries and convents follow a rule. It helps them serve God and follow Jesus’ example. One of the first rules ever written was the Rule of Saint Benedict. Both nuns and monks follow it even today.
Scholastica was the first Benedictine nun. She and Benedict, her twin brother, were born in Nursia, Italy, in 480 A.D. As they grew up, the twins grew in holiness. That is, they chose to live God’s will.
As adults, Benedict established a monastery for men at Monte Cassino; Scholastica established a convent for women five miles away. Both communities followed Benedict’s rule, which stressed prayer and work.
Scholastica and her nuns met seven times a day to pray. During each week, they prayed all 150 of the Psalms. They spent much of their time in silence so that they could listen for God’s word.
According to an ancient story, Benedict came to visit Scholastica in her convent once each year. In 542 A.D., when they were 62 years old, they spent a day praying and talking about God.
As evening approached, Benedict got up to leave. Scholastica, knowing she would die soon, asked him to stay. Benedict refused. So Scholastica asked God. Thunder clapped! Rain fell! Benedict stayed!
A few days later, Scholastica died. Benedict buried her in a tomb close to the monastery at Monte Cassino. When he died, his monks buried him next to his beloved sister. Together, they had praised God in life. Together, they praise God in eternity!
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