Scholastica was the twin sister of St. Benedict. For many years, her parents had begged God to send them children. When at last Benedict and Scholastica were born, their good mother did all she could to make them Saints.
Scholastica was a friendly, intelligent girl who promised herself to Jesus when she was still very young. Her parents died, she went to visit her holy brother. He had built a big monastery and was the leader of many good monks.
St. Benedict was very good to his holy sister. When he found out that she and other young women wanted to become religious, he helped her start her convent.
Once a year, St. Benedict came to visit her for one day. On one of his visits, when he was ready to leave the convent, Scholastica begged him to stay longer. Benedict said he could not, but Scholastica knew that soon she would die. So she bowed her head and prayed with all her heart. No sooner had she lifted her head than such a storm arose that Benedict was unable to leave. He stayed and they talked all through the night about the goodness of God and the happiness of the Saints in Heaven. Three days later, when St. Benedict was praying in his monastery, he saw the beautiful soul of his sister Scholastica going up to Heaven in the form of a dove.
Like this saintly brother and sister, let us love one another at home and be of good example to each other.
