Saint of the day for 10 February: the story of Santa Scolastica

Twins often share the same interests and ideas with the same intensity. It is therefore not surprising that Scholastica and her twin brother, Benedict, established religious communities within a few kilometers of each other. Born in 480 to wealthy parents, Scholastica and Benedetto were raised together until he left central Italy for Rome to continue his studies. Little is known about Scholastica's early life. She founded a religious community for women near Monte Cassino in Plombariola, five miles from where her brother ruled a monastery. The twins visited once a year on a farm because Scholastica was not allowed inside the monastery. They spent these times discussing spiritual matters.

According to the Dialogues of St. Gregory the Great, the brother and sister spent their last day together in prayer and conversation. Scholastica sensed that her death was imminent and begged Benedict to stay with her until the next day. He refused his request because he did not want to spend a night outside the monastery, thus breaking his own rule. Scholastica asked God to let her brother stay and a strong storm broke out, preventing Benedict and his monks from returning to the abbey. Benedict cried out: “God forgive you, sister. What have you done?" Scholastica replied, “I asked you for a favor and you refused. I asked God and he granted it. “Brother and sister separated the next morning after their long discussion. Three days later, Benedict was praying in his monastery and saw his sister's soul ascend to heaven in the form of a white dove. Benedict then announced his sister's death to the monks and later buried her in the tomb he had prepared for himself.

Reflection: Scholastica and Benedict gave themselves totally to God and gave the highest priority to deepening their friendship with him through prayer. They sacrificed some of the opportunities they would have had of being together as brother and sister to better fulfill their vocation to the religious life. As they approached Christ, however, they found they were even closer to each other. By joining a religious community, they did not forget or abandon their family, but rather found more brothers and sisters.