St. Scholastica, Virgin and Religious Founder (480-543)

FEAST DAY: February 10

Scholastica, the twin sister of the great saint, Benedict of Nursia, was born in about 480 in Nursia, Umbria, of wealthy parents, and was consecrated to God at an early age.

Once a year, Scholastica would go and visit her brother, Benedict, and they would spend the day praying and conversing about Sacred Scripture.

On their last meeting, perhaps as Scholastica realized that her death was near, asked Benedict to stay with her after their prayer and conversations had ended but Benedict refused.

Scholastica prayed and a violent storm began to set in. The storm was so strong that Benedict had to stay with Scholastica. Three days later, Scholastica died and Benedict, in a vision, saw his sister’s soul ascending to heaven in the form of a dove.

St. Scholastica is the patron saint of Benedictine women’s religious communities, convulsive children, nuns and is invoked against storms, lightnings and rains. (Josielyn G. Sunga)