Saint Scholastica (480-c.543)

Saint Scholastica shared a love of God and a vocation to religious life with her twin brother, Saint Benedict. The twins established religious communities within five miles of each other. Scholastica and Benedict met once a year in a neighboring farmhouse to talk and pray together, because Scholastica was not allowed within the confines of the monastery. When Scholastica knew that her life was drawing to a close, she asked her brother to stay with her longer during their last meeting. Benedict declined, since spending the night outside of the monastery went against his own rule, so Scholastica prayed to God to let her brother stay with her longer. Suddenly, a strong thunderstorm began, and Benedict could not leave. Benedict exclaimed, "God forgive you, Sister. What have you done?" Scholastica responded, "I asked a favor of you and you refused. I asked it of God and he granted it." Three days later, Benedict saw the soul of his sister soaring to heaven in the form of a white dove. He then buried her in the tomb that he had built for himself. Saint Scholastica is the patron saint against rain, against storms, of convulsive children, and of nuns.