ecause of the turbulence of the
time they lived in, many records were lost and as a result we may never know the reality of Benedict and Scholastica’s historical existence.
Perhaps, as today’s scholars conjecture, Benedict was simply an amalgamation of many holy men who, together, founded the Order of St. Benedict and composed the Rule. Perhaps there was a real Benedict, whose Rule and Order were expanded by many disciples who, together, we credit as St. Benedict.
Or, perhaps, Catholic tradition and Dante are correct; there was a real St. Benedict, who sits now in the sphere of Heaven reserved for the contemplatives, a shining example of Christian purity.."
St. Scholastica, too, may have been a real person, the twin sister of St. Benedict, whose passage to Heaven he witnessed. Perhaps, as some have suggested, she was merely a literary device, invented solely to “illustrate the Benedictine practice of reflective study.”
Regardless, she has served as the ideal of feminine Benedictine spirituality. Her love for her brother was so great, and her faith in God’s love and charity so strong, that her prayer for a miracle was granted, and she spent what was almost the last night of her life in prayer and conversation with her beloved brother.
Rarely in history have two such intensely pious souls been so tightly joined as have those of the twins, Benedict and Scholastica.
In these troubled times, they can provide an example of the power of faith, love, and prayer to all Christians. Certainly, the Rule continues to play a significant function in Christian monasticism, but beyond that, the wisdom of the holy twins and their way of life should serve as a guide and inspiration to us all.
1. See, for example, essays and articles by Pearse Aidan Cusack, W. Goffart, Roger Pearse, and J. H. Wansborough discussing the historicity and interpretations of Saint Benedict.
2. Pope Saint Gregory the Great, Dialogues, Philip Warner (trans.), (London, 1911), Book II, chapter 33. The whole of the work is available online for free at Roger Pearse’s website: http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/index.htm#
3. Ibid.
4. Sister Margaret Clarke, OSB, “St. Benedict and St. Scholastica,” from the College of St. Scholastica’s website, http://www.css.edu/about/mission-integration/st-benedict-and-st-scholastica.html
5. Photo pages http://www.abbaziamontecassino.org/abbey/index.php/en/heritage/tomb-benedict-scholastica-montecassino-abbey/51-heritage/the-tomb-of-saint-benedict-and-saint-scholastica/37-tomb-benedict-scholastica-montecassino-abbey-monastery#
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