Patroness of Convulsive ChildrenSt. Scholastica, sister of St. Benedict, consecrated her life to God from her earliest youth. After her brother went to Monte Cassino, where he established his famous monastery, she took up her abode in the neighborhood at Plombariola, where she founded and governed a monastery of nuns, about five miles from that of St. Benedict, who, it appears, also directed his sister and her nuns. She visited her brother once a year, and as she was not allowed to enter his monastery he went in company with some of his brethren to meet her at a house some distance away. These visit were spent in conferring together on spiritual matters.
On once occasion the Saint had passed the time as usual in prayer and pious conversation and in the evening they sat down to take their reflection. St. Scholastica begged her brother to remain until the next day. St. Benedict refused to spend the night outside his monastery. She had recourse to prayer, and a furious thunderstorm burst upon them so that neither St. Benedict nor and of his companions could return home. they spent the night in spiritual conferences. The next morning they parted to meet no more on earth.
Three days later St. Scholastica died, and her holy brother beheld her soul in a vision as it ascended into heaven. He sent his brethren to bring her body to his monastery and laid it in the tomb he had prepared for himself. She died about the year 547, and St. Benedict followed her soon after.
PRAYER: God our Father, today we celebrate the memory of St. Scholastica. Grant that, following her example, we may serve You with perfect love and rejoice in experiencing Your goodness. Amen.