The Death of Saint Scholastica

by Jean Restout II, 1730, oil on canvas

Musée des Beaux-Arts, Tours, France

 

 

From the archives:

 

St Scholastica was the twin sister of St Benedict, the father of western monasticism.

The little we know of her is from the Dialogues of St Gregory the Great. It’s interesting to me how little you need to know about someone sometimes…

to know everything you need to know.

St Gregory tells us as a child, she consecrated herself to God and was very devoted to her brother.

When Benedict established his monastery at Monte Cassino, Italy, she chose to settle five miles south at Plombariola where,

she founded a convent under the direct rule of her brother. She was the first Benedictine nun.

A charming story is told of the last meeting of the two saints on earth.

Scholastica and Benedict had spent the day in the “mutual comfort of

heavenly talk” and with nightfall approaching, Benedict prepared to leave.

Scholastica, having a presentiment that it would be their last opportunity to see

each other alive, asked him to spend the evening in conversation. Benedict sternly

refused because he did not wish to break his own rule by spending a night away

from Monte Cassino. Thereupon, Scholastica cried openly, laid her head upon the

table, and prayed that God would intercede for her. As she did so, a sudden storm

arose. The violent rain and hail came in such a torrential downpour that Benedict

and his companions were unable to depart.

“May Almighty God forgive you, sister” said Benedict, “for what you have done.”

“I asked a favor of you,” Scholastica replied simply, “and you refused it. I asked it

of God, and He has granted it!”

 

—Saint Benedict.org

 

 

Some think Scholastica asked her brother to prolong his visit because she’d had a premonition of her death and in fact, three days later she died.

Gregory tells us that from his cell, Benedict saw his sister’s soul leave her body and ascend to heaven in the form of a dove. He buried his sister in the tomb at the monastery which had been prepared for him. What devotion and love they both exemplified to the Lord and to each other.

No prayer is too trivial for God. The soul that knows it’s complete and utter dependence on the Lord is truly free.

If you then, who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children,

how much more will your Father who is in heaven

give good things to those who ask Him.

 

—Matthew 7:11

 

From the dove of St Scholastica,

+PAX