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| (Saint Scholastica) |
"Behind" every good man is a good woman. Such was the case with Benedict and Scholastica – who were not only good, but also saintly.
Tradition has it that Scholastica and Benedict were twin siblings. Bede (another saintly monastic, so he should know) believed this to be true. Most of the known
information about Saint Benedict’s life comes from Pope Gregory I’s written Dialogues. Pope Gregory’s interpretation of Benedict’s life was not so much a
chronological biography as it was a highlighting of noteworthy events.
Benedict, in turn, drew heavily upon the work of his own predecessors in formulating his now-famous Rule of Benedict. Wikipedia reports that this monastic rule was “heavily influenced” by the spiritual writings of “Desert Father” John Cassain, as well as by the anonymous 6th-century Rule of the Master. However, neither of these may have influenced Benedict quite as much as the example set early on by Scholastica.
Saintbenedict.org reports that Scholastica “was consecrated to God at a very early age.” This might have even occurred before Benedict’s own such conversion. She and Benedict wound up establishing monasteries within five miles of one another's – his at Monte Cassino, and hers at Plombariola.
Benedict and Scholastica remained very close throughout the years, although neither was allowed to enter the
monastery of the other. They would therefore meet once a year at a nearby house “to confer on spiritual matters.” Pope Gregory gives the inspiring details of their final such meeting.
After spending the day with Scholastica in “mutual comfort of heavenly talk,” Benedict was preparing to return to his monastery. Scholastica, feeling that this would be their last earthly meeting, urged him to stay longer. Benedict, not wanting to break his own monastic rule of having to return to the monastery by night, was still planning to leave. Scholastica then “cried openly, laid her head upon the table, and prayed that God would intercede for her.” Suddenly a storm arose – one so intense that Benedict and his companions could not leave. When Benedict chided his sister for this, Scholastica simply replied: I asked a favor of you and you refused it. I asked it of God, and He has granted it!
This was, indeed, to be the last earthly visit for these twin souls. Shortly after Benedict’s return to Monte Cassino, he saw a shining white dove ascending to heaven. Scholastica was now with her beloved God. She had once again shown Benedict the way back Home.
Resources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benedict_of_Nursia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scholastica
http://saintbenedict.org/stscholastica.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Gregory_I
Copyright July 11, 2011 by Linda Van Slyke All Rights Reserved
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