St. Scholastica

Scholastica was the twin sister of St. Benedict of Nursia; she was born around 480 in Italy. She was the Abbess of a community of women in Plombariola which was near Monte Cassino where her brother had established his famous monastery. It was the custom of the brother and sister to meet once a year at a small house midway between their monasteries. On her last visit with her brother, the two spent the day together and as evening drew near, Scholastica did not want her brother to leave. He replied that he and the monks with him must get home to spend the night, since this was the rule of the monastery. Scholastica put her head down on the table, praying and crying. Suddenly, a heavy thunderstorm broke loose; the downpour was such that Benedict and his fellow monks could not walk home and so they spent the night talking with Scholastica and the sisters she had with her. Three days later, St. Benedict had a vision of his sister's soul flying to heaven in the form of a dove; he understood that this meant she had died, and he had some his monks bring her body to his monastery for burial in his own grave. He died a short time later. The year was 543. St. Scholastica's feast is February 10.