St. Scholastica

Born: 480

Died: c.543

Canonized: pre-Congregation

Feast Day: February 10

Patron Saint of: bad weather

Scholastica was the twin sister of Saint Benedict. She and Benedict were very close. On one particular night while they were together in prayer and devotion after dinner, Scholastica asked her brother to stay for some time longer. When Benedict refused, citing the need to return to the solitude of his quarters, Scholastica lowered her head and began to pray. When she finished her prayer, the skies opened - heavy thunder, severe lightning, and a torrential downpour of rain. Sadly, he began to complain. Astonished at the suddeness & severity of the storm, Benedict said "May God forgive you, sister. What have you done?" Scholastica replied "I asked you and you would not listen. So I asked my God and He did listen. So now go off, if you can, leave me and return to your monastery." As Scholastica wished, they remained together the rest of the night. Some three days following, Benedict was in his room peering into the sky where he clearly saw a vision of Scholastica's soul in the form of a dove separate from her body heading toward heaven. Indeed, Scholastica's time on this earth had ended that day.