Memorial of Saint Scholastica, Virgin
- Mary Jo Barr
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
Reading 1 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30
Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of the whole community of Israel, and stretching forth his hands toward heaven, he said, “LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below; you keep your covenant of mercy with your servants who are faithful to you with their whole heart. “Can it indeed be that God dwells on earth? If the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain you, how much less this temple which I have built! Look kindly on the prayer and petition of your servant, O LORD, my God, and listen to the cry of supplication which I, your servant, utter before you this day. May your eyes watch night and day over this temple, the place where you have decreed you shall be honored; may you heed the prayer which I, your servant, offer in this place. Listen to the petitions of your servant and of your people Israel which they offer in this place. Listen from your heavenly dwelling and grant pardon.”
REFLECTION
The first reading from 1 Kings 8: 27-30, is significant in relation to the saint being memorialized today, St. Scholastica.
St. Scholastica was the twin sister of St. Benedict of Nursa. She was inspired by her brother Benedict, who founded a monastic order. St. Benedict wrote a Rule for his order of monks that St. Scholastica wanted to use for her order of nuns, the Benedictines.
According to the Rule of St. Benedict, the monks could only visit their family once a year . Benedict and Scholastica would follow the rule and visit once a year at a farm cottage not far from the Monastery and the Convent. On their last meeting, St. Benedict wanted to leave to go back to his Monastery, Monte Cassino. Scholastica begged and cried for her brother to extend his visit and stay the night. He insisted that he must return to the Monastery. She knelt and prayed. Suddenly, they heard a loud clap of thunder and a storm blew in with torrents of rain. Benedict was unable to leave.
Benedict was upset with Scholastica and asked, "What did you do?" She replied, “I asked a favor of you and you refused. I asked it of God and he granted it.” Three days later, St. Scholastica died. St. Benedict saw her soul in the form of a dove depart and enter heaven. He had her buried in his own tomb. Three years later Benedict's body was entombed with his beloved twin.
Like Solomon's prayer for his people, St. Scholastica's prayer reached God and her prayer was answered.
Let us pray to the Holy Spirit to surrender to God and trust that He will answer our prayers.
Here is our PAPA Prayer for Priests.
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