St. Scholastica

St. Scholastica Biogrpahy

St. Scholastica was a 6th century Italian nun, who is honored as the patron saint of convulsive children and of monastic women. She is also known for being the twin sister of St. Benedict of Nursia, the founder of the Benedictine monastic order.

Scholastica was born in the early 6th century in Nursia, a small town in the region of Umbria, Italy. She was the twin sister of St. Benedict, with whom she had a close relationship throughout her life. She was well-educated and devoted to a life of contemplation and prayer.

Scholastica decided to enter monastic life and established a convent of nuns near her brother’s monastery. She would become the abbess of the convent and would spend her life in prayer and contemplation. The two siblings would meet once a year, in a place between their monasteries, for a spiritual conference and to exchange advice.

Scholastica is said to have performed many miracles during her life. One of the most well-known legends about her is that, when her brother was going to leave her to return to his monastery, Scholastica asked him to stay for one more day and spend the night in conversation. When he refused, she prayed and a storm broke out, preventing him from leaving. From this legend, her feast day is celebrated on the day before Benedict’s, 10th of February.

Scholastica’s legacy is mainly tied to the monastic life, as a model of spiritual devotion and as an advocate of the contemplative dimension of monasticism. She is honored as a saint by the Catholic Church, and her feast day is celebrated on February 10th. She is also honored by the Benedictine order and by other religious orders who claim her as a model of contemplative life.

Scholastica is also known for her writings, although none of them survive today. She is said to have written a rule for her convent, which was later used as a guide for other monastic communities, as well as other spiritual works.

Scholastica’s influence over her brother, St. Benedict, is widely acknowledged, as it is said that she played an important role in his spiritual development and the growth of his monastic order. Her life is an example of the important role that women played in the early church, and in the development of monasticism.

Scholastica died in the year 543 and was buried in the monastery she founded. There are no existing records of her canonization, but her veneration as a saint is attested from the earliest times.

The Life of St. Scholastica

Scholastica was the sister of St. Benedict. St. Gregory testifies that she consecrated herself to God from early youth. After her brother moved to Monte Cassino she chose a site five miles lower down on the mountain for a convent for the Sisters under her guidance. Once a year she visited St. Benedict in his monastery. They spent their time together praising God and conferring on spiritual matters.

On the occasion of St. Benedict’s last visit to his sister. She urged him to remain until the following day. Unwilling to transgress his Rule, St. Benedict told her he could not pass a night away from his monastery. Realizing that he was resolved to leave, Scholastica begged God to intervene in her behalf. Scarcely had she ended her prayer when a violent storm arose, which prevented St. Benedict and his companions from leaving.

Faith Can Move Mountains

He complained to his sister, saying: “God forgive you, sister. What have you done?” She replied: “I asked you a favor and you refused it; I asked it of Almighty God and He has granted it to me”. St. Benedict was therefore obliged to comply with her request. They conversed on holy subjects; especially on the happiness of the blessed, to which both ardently aspired, and which Scholastica was soon to enjoy.

Three days later as St. Benedict was alone in contemplation on Monte Cassino, as he raised his eyes heavenwards he saw the soul of his sister ascending in the shape of a dove. Filled with joy at her happy passage, St. Benedict informed his brethren of her death and sent some of them to bring her remains to his monastery, which he laid in the tomb that he had prepared for himself.

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Prayers to St. Scholastica

  Prayer to St. Scholastica

Let us pray: O God, Who, to show the innocence of her life, didst cause the soul of Thy blessed Virgin Scholastica to ascend to Heaven in the form of a dove: grant, we beseech Thee, by her merits and prayers, that we may live so innocently, as to deserve to arrive at eternal joys. Through Jesus Christ, Thine only-begotten Son, Our Lord, Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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Prayer to Saint Scholastica

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 her merits
and her prayers
that we may so live in innocence
as to attain to joys everlasting.
This we ask through our Lord.

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Prayer to St. Scholastica

St. Scholastica, God granted your request because of your great love. I ask now that you turn to God with my request out of your great love for Him and your great love for me.
(State your intentions here)

Prayer to St. Scholastica

Dear St. Scholastica, you were known for your devotion to God and for your love for prayer and meditation. I turn to you today, seeking your intercession and guidance as I strive to deepen my own faith.

Help me to grow in my relationship with the Lord, and to be filled with His peace and wisdom. May I always seek to live a life of love and service, just as you did. Amen.

A prayer for the Intercession of St. Scholastica

Dear St. Scholastica, I turn to you today in need of your intercession. You were known for your unwavering faith and your love for prayer, and I ask that you intercede for me and for all those in need of your help.

Please pray for those who are struggling in their faith, that they may find comfort and hope in their trials. Pray for those who are seeking a deeper relationship with God, that they may find what they are looking for. And pray for all of us, that we may grow in our faith and deepen our own relationships with the Lord. Amen.

A prayer for the Protection of St. Scholastica

Dear St. Scholastica, I pray for your protection today, that I may be guarded by your example and your deep devotion to God. Protect me from harm, both physical and spiritual, and keep me safe from all danger.

And may I always be guided by the light of the Lord, and live my life in a manner that brings glory to His name. Amen.

St. Scholastica: Patron Saint of Nuns and Convent Schools

St. Scholastica was a devout nun who lived in the 6th century. She was the sister of St. Benedict of Nursia, one of the founders of Western monasticism, and she is remembered for her deep devotion to God and her contributions to the growth and development of the monastic movement.

Why is St. Scholastica the Patron Saint of Nuns and Convent Schools?

St. Scholastica is the patron saint of nuns and convent schools because of her deep devotion to God and her contributions to the growth of the monastic movement. She is remembered as a model of monastic life and as a symbol of the importance of education and learning in the service of God.

St. Scholastica is said to have founded several monasteries, and she is remembered for her strong commitment to the education of young women and for her role in the development of the convent school system. Her monasteries were known for their focus on education, and many young women received their early education at the schools associated with these monasteries.

St. Scholastica’s Legacy

St. Scholastica’s legacy is one of deep devotion to God and to the growth and development of the monastic movement. She is remembered as a model of monastic life, as a champion of education and learning, and as a symbol of the importance of serving God through education and intellectual pursuits. Through her example and her contributions to the growth of the monastic movement, St. Scholastica continues to inspire and encourage nuns and those who are dedicated to the education of young women in the service of God.” “

Reflection on the feast day of St. Scholastica

The feast day of St. Scholastica is on February 10th.

In reflecting on the feast day of St. Scholastica, we are called to remember the life and legacy of this remarkable woman. Born the twin sister of St. Benedict, Scholastica dedicated her life to God and to the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. She is remembered as a woman of great faith and devotion, who lived a life of simplicity and humility.

Scholastica’s devotion to God was evident in her commitment to monastic life. She founded a monastery for women near her brother’s own monastery, and she lived there with her sisters in Christ, dedicating their lives to prayer, contemplation, and service to others.

Scholastica’s pursuit of knowledge and wisdom is also noteworthy. She was a woman who was deeply interested in the study of scripture and theology, and she was known for her intelligence and her ability to teach others. She believed that the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom was a path to deeper understanding and closer relationship with God, and her example continues to inspire and challenge us today.

As we celebrate the feast day of St. Scholastica, let us be reminded of the power of faith, devotion, and pursuit of knowledge and wisdom in our own lives. Let us strive to follow her example, dedicating ourselves to God and to the pursuit of wisdom and understanding, so that we too may grow in our relationship with God and become a light to those around us. May the intercession of St. Scholastica guide us in our journey towards holiness and bring us closer to God.

In conclusion, St. Scholastica’s feast day is a reminder of the importance of faith and devotion in our lives and the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom as path towards deeper understanding and closer relationship with God. May her example inspire us to live a life of humility, simplicity and service. May her intercession guide us in our journey towards holiness.

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You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. Benedict. St. Scholastica is the twin sister of St. Benedict and founded a convent for nuns. Both are known for their deep spirituality and contributions to monastic life. Next up: Biography of St. Sebastian

 

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