Scholastica

Saint Scholastica

Saint Scholastica, from the San Luca Altarpiece.
Virgin
Born c. 480
Nursia, Umbria, Italy
Died 10 February 543
near Monte Cassino
Venerated in Roman Catholic Church
Canonized Pre-Congregation
Feast 10 February
Attributes nun with crozier and crucifix; nun with dove flying from her mouth[1]
Patronage school; tests; books; reading; convulsive children; nuns; invoked against storms and rain; Le Mans

Scholastica (c. 480 – 10 February 543) is a saint of the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Churches. Born in Italy, according to a ninth century tradition, she was the twin sister of Benedict of Nursia.[2][3] Her father was Anicius Eupropius and her mother was Claudia Abondantia Reguardati. Her feast day is 10 February.

Life

Scholastica was born in 480 in Nursia, Umbria, of wealthy parents and according to Gregory the Great's Dialogues, was dedicated to God from a young age. She and her brother Benedict were brought up together until the time he left to pursue studies in Rome.

A young Roman woman of Scholastica's class and time would likely have remained in her father's house until marriage (likely arranged) or entry into religious life. But wealthy women could inherit property, divorce, and were generally literate. On occasion several young women would live together in a household and form a religious community.[3]

Benedictine tradition holds that Scholastica lived in a convent at Plumbariola about five miles from Monte Cassino and that this was the first "Benedictine" convent.[4] However, it has been suggested that it is more likely that she lived in a hermitage with one or two other religious women in a cluster of houses at the base of Mount Cassino where there is an ancient church named after her. Ruth Clifford Engs notes that since Dialogues indicates that Scholastica was dedicated to God at an early age, perhaps she lived in her father's house with other religious women until his death and then moved nearer to Benedict.[3]

The most commonly told story about her is that she would, once a year, go and visit her brother at a place near his abbey, and they would spend the day worshiping together and discussing sacred texts and issues.[5]

One day they had supper and continued their conversation. When Benedict indicated it was time for him to leave, perhaps sensing the time of her death was drawing near, Scholastica asked him to stay with her for the evening so they could continue their discussions. Not wishing to break his own Rule, Benedict refused, insisting that he needed to return to his cell. At that point, Scholastica closed her hands in prayer, and after a moment, a wild storm started outside of the guest house in which they were housed. Benedict asked, "What have you done?", to which she replied, "I asked you and you would not listen; so I asked my God and he did listen. So now go off, if you can, leave me and return to your monastery." Benedict was unable to return to his monastery, and they spent the night in discussion.[2]

According to Gregory's Dialogues, three days later, from his cell, he saw his sister's soul leaving the earth and ascending to heaven in the form of a shining white dove.[6] Benedict had her body brought to his monastery, where he caused it to be laid in the tomb which he had prepared for himself.[7]

Legacy

Scholastica is the foundress of the women's branch of Benedictine Monasticism.

She was selected as the main motif for a high value commemorative coin: the Austria €50 'The Christian Religious Orders', issued 13 March 2002. On the obverse (heads) side of the coin Scholastica is depicted alongside Benedict.

Scholastica is the patron saint of nuns, and convulsive children, and is invoked against storms and rain. Her memorial is 10 February.

References

  1. ↑ "Patron Saints Index: Saint Scholastica". Saints.sqpn.com. Retrieved 2012-05-20.
  2. 1 2 Foley O.F.M., Leonard, rev. McCloskey O.F.M., Pat "Saint Scholastica", Saint of the Day, American Catholic
  3. 1 2 3 "Engs, Ruth Clifford. "St. Scholastica: Finding Meaning in her Story", St. Meinrad, In: Abbey Press, 2003
  4. ↑ "Saint Scholastica", Order of Saint Benedict
  5. ↑ Gregory the Great. Dialogues, Book II, Chapter 33
  6. ↑ Gregory the Great. Dialogues, Book II, Chapter 34
  7. ↑ Butler, Alban. "St. Scholastica", The Lives or the Fathers, Martyrs and Other Principal Saints, Vol.I, D. & J. Sadlier, & Company, 1864
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