Saint Scholastica
St. Scholastica, the twin sister of St. Benedict, is one of the most revered figures in the Catholic tradition, known for her spiritual kinship with her brother and her dedication to monastic life[1]. She is best remembered for the miracle of the rain, which allowed her to spend additional time with her brother before her death[2]. Her life exemplifies the Benedictine values of prayer, work, and community[3].
Stored in Cargo: St. Scholastica
| St. Scholastica | |
| Feast Day | February 10 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Nuns, convulsive children, against storms and rain |
| Birthplace | Norcia, Umbria, Italy |
| Death Place | Monte Cassino, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Basilica of Santa Scolastica, Subiaco, Italy |
Biography
Birth
Scholastica was born around 480 AD near Norcia, Italy[4].
Early Life
She was the twin sister of St. Benedict, both growing up in a time of great religious fervor[2].
Occupation
She became a nun and eventually an abbess of a convent near Monte Cassino[1].
Vocation
Scholastica followed her brother into a life of monasticism, establishing her own community for women[3].
Death
She died around 543 AD at Monte Cassino, where she had met with her brother for their annual visit[2].
Significant events
- Founded and led a Benedictine convent near her brother's monastery[3].
- Famous for the miracle where she prayed for a storm to extend her time with St. Benedict[2].
- Her annual meetings with St. Benedict were a hallmark of their spiritual bond[1].
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: None
Death location: None
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Death
St. Scholastica died peacefully, possibly from natural causes, shortly after her last meeting with St. Benedict.
Canonization
Servant of God
St. Scholastica was not formally recognized through modern canonization processes since she was venerated from early Christian times[2].
Venerable
Not applicable; recognized as a saint by tradition[2].
Beatification
Not formally beatified; recognized as a saint by the early Church[2].
Canonization
Canonized by tradition; no formal canonization date as she was recognized as a saint from early Christian times[2].
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
Not applicable for formal beatification, but her most famous miracle is the one with the rain[2].
Miracle for canonization
Not applicable; her sainthood is based on tradition and early Church recognition[2].
Other notable miracles
No other widely known miracles beyond the one with the rain.
Patronage
St. Scholastica is the patron saint of nuns, convulsive children, and is invoked against storms and rain[2].
Feast day
Her feast day is celebrated on February 10[2].
Veneration
St. Scholastica is venerated in the Benedictine tradition, with her relics kept in the Basilica of Santa Scolastica in Subiaco, Italy. She is remembered for her deep faith and the influence she had on monastic life[3].
Books
Written about the saint
- Her life is recounted in the "Dialogues" of Pope St. Gregory the Great, but no specific modern books were listed[4].
Written by the saint
- St. Scholastica did not leave any known written works[4].
External links
- Catholic Online article on St. Scholastica[2]
- Britannica's biography on St. Scholastica[1]
- Order of Saint Benedict on St. Scholastica[3]
- Wikipedia entry on Scholastica[4]