Saint Scholastica peers at me from this small bronze plaque as I work on the computer typing out blogs, columns, books, and emails. I found the plaque in gift shop just outside the Great Hall on Saint John's campus in Collegeville. Finding images of Scholastica is difficult, and I was happy with the discovery. Today is her feast in the Roman Catholic Church's calendar.
Not much is known about Scholastica. She is the twin sister of St. Benedict, and like her brother, she founded a monastic community. Her convent was not far from his monastery and once a year they met part way between both to spend a day in conversation about the spiritual life. I can't imagine that other more mundane topics common between brothers and sisters were not discussed.
Whatever filled their hours, the last time they met, Scholastica did not want her brother and his companions to leave. I am reminded of an evening I spent with some Cistercians in the company of John Howard Griffin. It was time to go. The monks had to sleep. They got up at 3am. But Griffin did not want the evening to end, and neither did I. He asked over and over if we wouldn't like to stay. Read More