The dove that ascended to Heaven

     Today is the feast day of Saint Scholastica. As a child growing up in Catholic schools, I always thought of her as a representative for the Catholic schools. Her Feast Day always fell on Catholic schools week. But as I've grown older I've come to realize she was much, much more than a symbol of that. She was Saint Benedict's twin sister. The two combined are a treasure to us and to the world. 

     She was born in Italy, along with her brother, St Benedict, to wealthy parents around the 6th century. She is recognized as the foundress of the Benedictine nuns. She founded it and governed a Convent about 5 miles away from her brother, St Benedict's Monastery. The twins would meet once a year at a nearby farmhouse to discuss spiritual matters, as she was not allowed in the Monastery. 

     At the end of her life, she begged Saint Benedict to stay longer at this yearly encounter, but he refused, telling her that he had to return now. Saint Scholastica begged him but he still refused. She then prayed, causing a violent storm to arise, making his stay to prolong through the night. She died three days after this last meeting with Saint Benedict,  witnessing her soul ascending to Heaven as a dove. 

     She is the patroness of nuns, convulsive children, (primarily do to the dramatic, sudden and uncontrollable nature of the violent storm her prayers invoked, which is symbolically linked to the sudden, involuntary convulsions of seizures), and violent rain storms. She is often depicted holding a book or dove, as her soul was transformed into a pure, white dove to enter Heaven. 

     Saint Scholastica! Pray for us!