#stscholastica

[picture id: St. Benedict and St. Scholastica sitting at dinner. She has her right hand extended as if to say "hold on a minute." He has his right hand raised in blessing and his left hand extended as if reaching for something. At the top are the words, "St. Scholastica..." Below the table are the words, "Patron Saint of Bossy Sisters and Bullied Brothers, pray for us. end id.]

Nostra Signora delle Colombe / Our Lady of the Doves (Bologna, Italy) and Memorials of the Saints – 10 February

Nostra Signora delle Colombe / Our Lady of the Doves (Bologna, Italy) – 10 February:HERE:https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/10/our-lady-of-the-doves-bologna-italy-and-memorials-of-the-saints-10-february/ St Scholastica (c482-547) (Memorial) Virgin Nun.About this twin of St Benedict:https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/02/10/saint-of-the-day-10-february-st-scholastica/ Bl Alexander of Lugo Blessed…

One Minute Reflection – 10 February – Be ‘a living monstrance of God’ … Mark 7:14-23

One Minute Reflection – 10 February Genesis 2:4-9, 15-17, Psalms 104:1-2,27-28, 29-30, Mark 7:14-23 and The Memorial of St Scholastica (480-547) Twin sister of St Benedict (480-547) And he said, “What comes out of a man is what defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy,…

Our Lady of the Doves (Bologna, Italy) and Memorials of the Saints – 10 February

Our Lady of the Doves (Bologna, Italy) – 10 February: While the Pilgrim Virgin statue was touring Europe, three snow-white doves came unexpectedly as the procession passed through a tiny village. No-one could be identified as their owner and they did not seem to be lost. They settled at the feet of the Madonna – soft, white doves, at home with Mary.Day by day, as the pilgrimage drew near its…

Quote/s of the Day – 10 February – Do you believe?

Quote of the Day – 10 February – The Memorial of St Scholastica (c 482-543) Twin sister of St Benedict (c 482-547)

When he entered the house, the blind men came to him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” And their eyes were opened. …

Matthew 9:28-30

“When…

Blessed Memorial of St Scholastica Virgin and Religious – (c482-547) Patron of school; tests; books; reading; convulsive children; nuns; invoked against storms, lightening and rain; City of Le Mans. 

 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 twin 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.

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.   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.

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.

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, “God forgive you, Sister.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.

Quote of the Day – 10 February 

St. Gregory the Great said of Scholastica,

 “She could do more because she loved more.”

One Minute Reflection – 10 February – St Scholastica (c482-547) Virgin Nun, St Benedict’s twin – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18; 11:1-2, Matt 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/ “… Behold the Bridegroom comes.” – Matthew 25:6 REFLECTION – “Behold the time is now here for us, dearest brethren, when we are to “sing of kindness and judgement to the Lord” (Ps 100:1). This is the Lord’s…