Who is St. Scholastica?

Benedictines honor St. Scholastica on Feb. 10. According to legend, she is the twin sister of St. Benedict, the founder of the Benedictine Order. She founded a community of women in Italy in the 6th century.

Little is known about her except the story found in the Dialogues of St. Gregory the Great. He relates that the brother and sister would meet each year at St. Scholastica's monastery for holy conversation. One year when Benedict was ready to return home, his sister begged him to stay the night to continue their spiritual dialogue. He refused, saying he had to return to his monastery. Then Scholastica prayed to God and a violent storm broke out and Benedict could not leave. He said, "My sister what have you done?" She answered, "I asked you for a favor and you refused. So I asked God and he heard my prayer." St. Gregory said that Scholastica's prayer was heard because she loved more. A few days later Benedict saw a dove flying to heaven and he realized his sister had died.

Benedictine sisters love this story because it emphasizes Scholastica's power and closeness to God. Although apocryphal, it highlights a woman's strength and courage in a male-dominated world. In the 21st century, women have a more equal position in the West, but less so in the East. Yet there is still much misogyny in many countries. May St. Scholastica embolden women to speak out for justice and equality.