Friday,
February 10, Benedictines throughout the world will celebrate with great
solemnity the Feast of St. Scholastica. Tradition teaches that Scholastica was
the twin sister of St. Benedict, whose dates are usually given as 480-547. The
earliest writing regarding Scholastica
is found in the Dialogues of St. Gregory the Great who in Book 2, chapters 33 and 34 describes a
meeting between the siblings and the subsequent death of Scholastica perhaps
around 543.
Although
Gregory’s Dialogues were written to inspire and edify and not as
biography in the modern sense of the word, it would be inaccurate to claim that
Gregory presented no facts about Benedict’s life and works. What a blessing
that the Church has preserved Gregory’s stories about Benedict and his sister
in the Office, readings and homilies we hear for the feast.
Below
is a rendition of their famous conversation at their last annual meeting at a
place between their respective monasteries. After spending the entire day praising
God and talking of sacred things, Scholastica entreated Benedict:
“Let us continue until morning speaking of the joys of
heaven.”
“What are you talking about, my sister? Under no
circumstances can I stay outside my cell.”
Scholastica
bowed her head in deep prayer, flooding the table with her tears. A torrential
rain accompanied her tears, and there was no way Benedict could leave in the
raging storm.
“God, have mercy on you, my sister. Why have you done
this?”
“See, I asked you, and you would not listen to me. So
I asked my Lord, and he has heard me. Go, now then, go, if you can. Leave me
and go back to your monastery.”
The
Dialogues continue:
“Three
days later while in his cell, Benedict looked up at the sky and saw the soul of
his sister after it had gone from her body. It was in the form of a dove, and
he saw it penetrate the hidden mysteries of heaven. Rejoicing because such
glory was hers, he gave thanks to God with hymns and praises, and he announced
her death to his brothers.
While
I have heard this dialogue over and over, I never tire of reading the above
conversation. It brings to mind the many times God has heard my prayers and
come to my aid. I recall the many requests on our prayer board that speak of
the faith of those who believe in the power of prayer. I praise God’s love and
wisdom even when God’s response is different from our request. I am reminded
that God has plans for each of us and that those plans spring from God’s love,
wisdom and unique concern for each of us.
Sr. Victoria Eisenman, OSB
Dear Sister, thank you for posting this beautiful passage about Saints Scholastica and Benedict -- to show our emotions openly and without restraint, the tears flow down, what a difference between the modern world and the ancient world. Weeping is a good thing, though a difficult thing. Surely it is a healthy thing, removing the poisonous griefs and making the mind tender. But may the weeping also be blessed by good companions with whom we can share comfortable words and strength -- that is the monastery, isn't it? Saint Scholastica and Saint Benedict pray for us, amen.
ReplyDelete