February 10, 2003 St. Scholastica Virgin (480-542?) LIFE: Scholastica was the twin sister of st Benedict of Nursia(Italy).Twins often share the same interests and ideas with an equal intensity. Born in 480 of wealthy parents, Scholastica and Benedict were brought up together until he left for Rome to continue his studies. Little is known of Scholastica’s early life. She founded a religious community for women near Monte Cassino at Plombariola, five miles from where her brother governed a monastery. The twins visited each other once a year in a farmhouse because Scholastica was not permitted inside the monastery. They spent these times discussing spiritual matters. According to the Dialogues of St. Gregory the Great, the brother and sister spent their last day together in prayer and conversation. Scholastica sensed her death was close at hand and she begged Benedict to stay with her until the next day. He refused her request because he did not want to spend a night outside the monastery, thus breaking his own Rule. Scholastica asked God to let her brother remain and a severe thunderstorm broke out, preventing Benedict and his monks from returning to the abbey. Benedict cried out, “God forgive you, Sister. What have you done?” Scholastica replied, “I asked a favor of you and you refused. I asked it of God and he granted it.” Brother and sister parted the next morning after their long discussion. Three days later, Benedict was praying in his monastery and saw the soul of his sister rising heavenward in the form of a white dove. Benedict then announced the death of his sister to the monks and later buried her in the tomb he had prepared for himself. St.Benedict followed her in death few weeks later ,on march 21st &was buried next to her: thus twins were united who had founded two branches of the great order , which has continued to flourish throughout 14 centuries &has given some 5,000 Saints to the church.
PATRONAGE: against rain, convulsive children,nuns, and storms. Comment: Scholastica and Benedict gave themselves totally to God and gave top priority to deepening their friendship with him through prayer. They sacrificed some of the opportunities they would have had to be together as brother and sister in order better to fulfill their vocation to the religious life. In coming closer to Christ, however, they found they were also closer to each other. In joining a religious community, they did not forget or forsake their family but rather found more brothers and sisters REFLECTION: """IF U WILL TRY TO LIVE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD FOR ONE YEAR , YOU WILL SEE URSELF AT THE END OF IT , THE HEIGHT OF PERFECTION, WITHOUT YOU R EVEN KNOWING IT""" --St.Theresa of Avila --------------------------------- With Yahoo! Mail you can get a bigger mailbox -- choose a size that fits your needs =============================================================================== This mail is generated from JOYnet, a Jesus Youth mailing list. For more info on the list visit http://www.jesusyouth.org/joynet To unsubscribe from the list send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe to the list visit http://www.jesusyouth.org/joynet/join In case of any issue related to the mailing list contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] ===============================================================================
