Storm Scholastica

We have little biographical information about St Scholastica, except that she was always close to her beloved brother Benedict. They were twins – and so at birth they were united – and even in death they lay, and still lie together in a single tomb. 

Beyond that there is only one single episode in the life of Scholastica that we know, recorded by St Gregory the Great. It is short, slightly comic, but crucial moment.

He says that when Scholastica was visited by her beloved brother, his stay was just not long enough. So she turned to God. Her powerful prayer forced the heavens open. The thunder came, so did the rain. Storm Scholastica. Bad weather forced Benedict to stay.

It is a crucial episode in the life of that great legislator Benedict. Because it was a lesson about the relationship between law and love. 

All Benedict wanted to do was keep the law. "It is time to get back for Compline, Sister," he might have said. He knew the rules: he wrote the book. Surely that is all we need do? 

But Scholastica was rather naughty (in the painting she looks as if she has been up to something!). When the rain came pouring down Benedict was forced to put something very human, fraternal friendship and love, before the law. And St Gregory the Great tells us that Scholastica “proved more powerful because she loved more.” 

It was a simple lesson, but a profound one. 

God is not law. 

God is love. 

We do well to learn Scholastica’s lesson of love. 

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We prayed today especially for our Benedictine Sisters, particularly the houses of our own Congregation – Stanbrook, Colwich and Curzon Park and their communities. We prayed also for the Benedictine nuns in our parish at Howton Grove, Sr Catherine and Sr Lucy, our Oblates, and for all Benedictine and Cistercian women throughout the world.