On February 10, the Catholic Church remembers Saint Scholastica, a nun and the twin sister of Saint Benedict, widely known as the father of monasticism in Western Europe.
The twins were born around the year 480 to a noble Roman family in Nursia, Italy. According to Pope Gregory the Great, who wrote about the life of Saint Benedict, Scholastica was dedicated to God from her earliest childhood. Their mother died at the time of their birth.
When Benedict was old enough, he left home to study in Rome, while Scholastica remained with their father to help manage the family estate in Nursia. Over time, Benedict abandoned his studies and chose a life devoted entirely to God, first living as a hermit and later becoming the leader of a community of monks in Italy.
Inspired by her brother’s complete dedication to the Lord, Scholastica also chose a religious life. While it is not certain when she became a nun, it is generally believed that she lived for some time among a community of devout women. Some biographers suggest that she later founded a monastery for nuns near her brother’s monastery.
The communities of Benedict and Scholastica were located about five miles apart. Saint Benedict is believed to have guided his sister and her community, likely encouraging them to live according to the same rule followed by his monks.
Unlike her brother, Saint Scholastica was never the subject of a detailed biography. As a result, little is known about her life beyond her deep commitment to God and religious life. Pope Gregory records that she visited her brother once each year at a house located midway between their two communities.
One well known story describes their final meeting. After spending the day in prayer and spiritual conversation, Scholastica asked Benedict to remain with her overnight so they could continue speaking about heavenly things. He refused, explaining that he could not stay away from his monastery.
Scholastica then joined her hands, placed them on the table, and bowed her head in prayer. When she lifted her head, a sudden and violent storm broke out, with thunder, lightning, and heavy rain, making it impossible for Benedict and his monks to leave.
Seeing this, Benedict said sadly, “God forgive you, what have you done?” Scholastica replied, “I asked you, and you would not listen. I asked the Lord, and He heard my prayer. If you can leave now, return to your monastery and leave me here alone.” Benedict had no choice but to stay, and the brother and sister spent the night speaking about spiritual matters and the kingdom of heaven.
Three days later, in the year 543, Benedict saw a vision in which the soul of his sister rose to heaven in the form of a dove. He rejoiced and praised God with hymns of thanksgiving. His monks later brought Scholastica’s body to his monastery, where she was buried in a grave Benedict had prepared for himself. Saint Benedict died shortly afterward and was laid to rest in the same grave as his sister.