Scholastica, Abbess of Plombariola
10 February -- Commemoration
If celebrated as a Lesser Festival,
Common of Religious, page 494
Scholastica is a more shadowy figure than her famous
brother, St Benedict. She too was born at Nursia, central
Italy, around the year 480. At an early age she chose to
consecrate herself to God, but probably continued to live at
home. Only after Benedict moved to Monte Cassino did she
settle at Plombariola nearby, joining or maybe founding a
nunnery under his direction. As abbess she sought to follow
his Rule, and met him each year at a house near his
monastery where they would praise God together and discuss
spiritual matters. She died in about the year 543. Benedict
had a vision of her soul rising up to heaven and, collecting
her body, he had her buried in the tomb prepared for
himself. Scholastica soon became a figure for veneration by
all nuns who followed
Benedict's Rule.