Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Scholastica who was born approximately 480 A.D in Nursia (in the Province of Umbria, Italy). A ninth-century tradition held that she was the twin sister of Saint Benedict. Saint Gregory the Great (540-604 A.D.) wrote in his Dialogues that Scholastica was dedicated to God from a young age.
A long-standing tradition within the Benedictine community holds that Scholastica lived in a convent at Piumarola, about five miles from Monte Casino - the Abbey that Benedict established as the first place for his brothers to live together, however it is also possible that she lived in a hermitage along with one or two other religious women in a cluster of houses at the base of Monte Casino.
Saint Mark speaks in today's gospel about the concern that Jesus had for the people because they have been with him for three days and had nothing to eat (Mk 8:2). This concern was also present in Scholastica's heart; in her case, se wanted to spend time with her brother.
Despite the fact that they lived as adults in different houses, it is believed that once a year, she would go to visit her brother at some place near his abbey and they would spend the entire day praying together and discussing sacred texts. On one such occasion, after they had completed their evening meal and continued their conversation for a while, Benedict was preparing to return to the abbey but Scholastica begged him to remain so that they could continue their discussion. Not wishing to break his own Rule, Benedict refused, insisting that he needed to return to his cell. At that point, Scholastica closed her hands in prayer, and after a moment, a wild storm started outside of the guest house in which they were housed. Benedict asked, What have you done?, to which she replied, I asked you and you would not listen; so I asked my God and he did listen. So now go off, if you can, leave me and return to your monastery. Benedict was unable to return to his monastery, and they spent the night in discussion.
Three days later, from his cell, he saw his sister's soul leaving the earth and ascending to heaven in the form of a shining white dove. Benedict had her body brought to his monastery, where he had it laid in the tomb which he had prepared for himself.
Let us pray today for the grace to recognize occasions when we too can be as gracious as Scholastica was, spending time with others, sharing the adventures of our hearts with them but most of all, acting out of genuine care and concern for others because as we know, they are all our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Have a great day.
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