Today, we celebrate the memorial of Saint Scholastica, Patron Saint of religious sisters and of those seeking protection against violent storms.

Saint Scholastica had dedicated her life to God since her earlier days as a youth. When her brother, Saint Benedict, went to establish his monastery at Monte Cassino, she had made her home at Plombariola, where she had established her own monastery of nuns that was just five miles away from her brother’s own monastery.

She and her brother would often meet once a year in a house some distance away from his monastery. They would often spend the time conversing on spiritual matters.

Saint Scholastica had spent her last day with her brother, praying and conversing with one another. She had sensed her death and had begged her brother to stay, which he denied, for he had made a rule that prevented him from spending a night outside of his monastery. Upon hearing this, she prayed to God to let him stay, and a severe thunderstorm broke out, preventing her brother from leaving. They parted ways the next day after having a hefty conversation. It would be after three days that Saint Benedict would hear about his sister’s death and would send someone to bring her body so that he could bury her.

Sources:

franciscanmedia.org

catholic.org