At
the North American Association of Benedictine Oblate Directors’ Conference in
July at St. Scholastica’s Monastery in Duluth, MN, one of the presenters lead
us on a creative journey through St. Scholastica’s story - in words, various artists’
interpretations, Scholastica as twin of St. Benedict, and Scholastica alone.
We
read the brief account in the Dialogues
of St. Gregory of the last encounter of the twins that is familiar to most
everyone, where the rain storm kept him from returning to his monastery as his
rule prescribed. After Scholastica’s
tears they were able to continue their dialogue about spiritual things the rest
of the night. Three days later Benedict
sees the soul of his sister ascend to heaven in the form of a dove, somewhere
around the year 543.
We understand that Scholastica was born a twin of Benedict in 480 to a noble Roman family in Nursia of
Umbria, and was dedicated to God at an early age. It is thought that she probably became a nun
even before her brother underwent his conversion and became a monk.
From my visit to Nursia in 1999, I became
aware that there were Augustinians in that area early on. St. Augustine is in the large painting of the
twins’ baptism in their church. The tour
guide, Sr. Aquinata Bachmann, OSB, shared that she is of the opinion that
Scholastica gathered with young women who followed her, at the family’s summer
cottage, which is outside the walls of Nursia. Now the grounds include a small church called St. Scholastica and the
local cemetery. The frescos on the walls
depict her with young women, and with Benedict as an older man painted over
her as a young nun. It would have been
very risky, and dangerous for woman to be in the area around Monte Casino until
much later.
So, it is presumed that
Benedict traveled back to Nursia to visit his family and discuss with his
sister the concerns about leading a group of nuns or monks. It would have been much later that she, as
Abbess, would have moved her community to Plombariolo, near Monte Casino, where
it is thought that their final visit took place. Benedict and Scholastic surely helped each
other in finalizing the Holy Rule, as we know it today.
Sr.
Teresa Schumacher shared slides of many artists’ featuring Scholastica, both alone and or with Benedict.We noticed many symbols in the various
pictures: Dove (seen at her ascent to
heaven) crozier and pectoral Cross (signs of an Abbess), rain, Rule in her
hand. Other characteristics
included: youthfulness, listening,
moving forward, attentive, crying, strong and powerful woman, equal in
intellect and holiness to her brother, yet a gentle soul able to communicate
with, nurture, challenge and delight in her brother.
Following
these observation, we were asked to be a bit creative by pairing up and
developing a new interpretation of her story. Some members of the group then read their stories or poems. Sr. Teresa was very interested in our
creations, because she is hoping to publish a book of many interpretations of
the Story of St. Scholastica for future generations to enjoy as well.
I
hope to do a similar project with our Oblates at our Gathering on the Feast of
St. Scholastica, Feb. 10thSr. Mary Tewes, OSB
Very Interesting... can't wait till 2/10/18 and see what creativity happens!
ReplyDeleteDear Sister, this is just right for today. The saints' lives that we have received are sometimes legendary and sometimes factual and often both. Certainly it is history given to lift us up and that education, which is poetic and fruitful in art, is strength. The saints have allegories to teach us, and Saint Scholastica is obviously telling the brothers and sisters to be more learned, just as her brother tells us to be blessed. One obvious point which is not mentioned very often though the sisters know it fully, is that the saints represent all those who loved and supported them, all that family alive then and before are shown in their goodness, so it is not a question only of one saint but often of a living tradition embodied in them and in their name. Saint Benedict is the holiness of the movement he founded and stands for. Perhaps we need to state these obvious truths occasionally. Lent officially starts this year on Feb 14, St Valentine will have ash on his brow. God bless OSB, amen.
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