Who Is St. Scholastica?
St. Scholastica was the twin sister of St. Benedict. They lived during the sixth century. She founded a monastery of nuns and the monastery her brother founded was about five miles away.
The twins were born in the year 480 in the region of Umbria.
Each year Scholastica would meet Benedict in a small house near his monastery, since Scholastica was not allowed to enter the monastery itself. They would spend the day talking and praying.
On one of these occasions, St. Scholastica asked St. Benedict to remain overnight but he felt he needed to return to his monastery. She began to pray and a tremendous storm arose.
Her brother asked, “What have you done?”, and Scholastica answered, “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.”
St. Benedict was forced to stay overnight with her. He returned home the next day. St. Scholastica died later that week.
Patron Saint of …
She is the patron saint of school, tests, books, and reading. Her intercession is frequently asked during thunderstorms and rain.
Mass Readings for the Memorial of Saint Scholastica, Virgin
- First Reading – Song of Songs 8:6-7: “Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm; For stern as death is love, relentless as the nether world is devotion; its flames are a blazing fire.”
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 148: “Young men and women, praise the name of the Lord.”
- Gospel – Luke 10:38-42: “There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”
Quote and Social Media Graphic
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.
St. Scholastica to St. Benedict
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