February 10, Saint Scholastica
Saint Scholastica was the twin sister of Saint Benedict, founder of the Benedictines. Their last conversation is reported by Saint Gregory the Great:
Scholastica: Don't let us part yet, but let us wait until morning.
Benedict: What are you thinking of, my sister? Not for the world would I pass a night outside of the monastery.
Scholastica then wept a moment in silence then hid her face in her hands. No sooner had she uncovered her face than a crash of thunder shook the house violently. The peaceful sky became black and a terrible storm hit.
Benedict: May God forgive you for what you have done, my sister.
Scholastica: I asked you and you would not listen to me; so I have asked God, Who has heard me, for I see indeed that you will not return to the monastery this evening.
They passed the night in pious conversation and parted at dawn, never to see one another again. Three days later, as he was at the window in his cell, Saint Benedict saw the soul of his sister rising to heaven in the form of a dove.
What a wonderful way to spend the night, in holy conversation and what a wonderful preparation for death! Let us often have holy conversations, so that our soul may also ascend to heaven.
PRAYER: Saint Scholastica, who begged God one more night of holy conversation to prepare your soul for its journey through death to heaven, inspire my words that they may always sanctify and lead toward heaven. Amen.
