St. Scholastica (480-547) was the twin sister of the famed St. Benedict (480-547), the father of western monasticism and the founder of the Benedictine order. When St. Scholastica was an infant she had been consecrated to God, and when she was old enough, she took her vows and became a nun, just like St. Benedict became a monk.

Scholastica would visit her brother once a year. He came down from the monastery to meet with her at a nearby house which belonged to the monks. There the brother and sister would spend the day, by praying together, singing God’s praises, and speaking about the many wonderful and amazing things of God. At nightfall they would eat together, and after all of their visiting, Benedict would leave and return to the monastery according to the rule.

On one of these visits, after they had eaten, as they were still at table talking with each other about spiritual things, it grew late. Scholastica then realized that her brother would soon have to leave. She implored him: "I beg you stay here with me, and let us talk until morning on the joys of Heaven."

It was an unusual request. "What are you saying, sister?" Benedict replied, "You know that I am not permitted to remain away from the monastery over night."

The evening was a fine one indeed. Not even a cloud could be seen in the sky. Scholastica knew that there would be nothing to stop her brother from leaving and returning to the other monks. It was according to the rule, and Benedict was to return before nightfall.

When the holy nun heard her brother’s refusal, she clasped her hands together, and rested them on the table. Then, no longer being able to hold back her tears, she bowed her head. Hiding her face in her folded hands, she cried as she prayed to God, Who is All-Powerful.

As soon as she raised her head from the table, a great storm broke out. The calm evening sky of only a few moments before was now filled with a raging tempest. The fierce thunder and lightning seemed as nothing compared to the torrential rain which was now drenching the countryside. The weather was so intense that neither St. Benedict nor his monks could even set foot outside of the little house.

When she had leaned her head upon the table, Scholastica had shed a flood of tears. She prayed with great fervor, and now rain fell in torrents. The space of time between her prayer and God’s answer was so close that the storm had broken out as soon as she raised her head!

Benedict could see plainly that it was impossible for him to reach his monastery in the midst such of a ferocious thunderstorm. Knowing that Scholastica was responsible for this, Benedict turned back to her and complained, "God forgive you, sister! What have you done?"

"I asked a favor of you," Scholastica simply replied, "and you would not hear me. Then I asked it of God, and He granted it to me. Go now, if you can. Return to the monastery, and leave me here."

But Benedict couldn’t even step outside, the rain was falling so violently. He could hardly even stand in the doorway. Benedict could see that, for this time, it was God’s will that he did not return to the monastery, but should stay and visit with Scholastica.

And so Benedict spent the whole night delighting his sister and their companions by talking about our incredible, loving God, the joys of Heaven, and many other spiritual things. In the morning, brother and sister parted ways - the holy woman returned to her convent, and the man of God to his monastery. It would be the last time that they saw each other in this life…

Three days later, St. Benedict was in his cell. Looking up, he saw the soul of his sister going up to Heaven, symbolically represented in the form of a dove. To see that his sister, who he loved so much, was now in such happiness filled Benedict with joy. Bursting into a hymn of praise and gratitude, he thanked God with all his heart.

It is possible that St. Scholastica may have known, on the night of the storm, that she was soon to die. If she didn’t know it herself, God certainly inspired her with the desire to extend her visit with Benedict. God knew that it was to be the last time that she would see her brother on earth. Isn’t God so good and loving? So understanding that He would arrange for the extra time with Benedict after Scholastica asked?

Benedict told the monks of Scholastica’s death, and immediately sent them to bring her remains to the monastery. Benedict had prepared a tomb for himself some time ago, but he placed the body of his beloved sister in his own tomb. Not long after, St. Benedict himself died, and joined his sister in unending happiness.

So it was that they were just as truly brother and sister in Christ as they were in nature. Now their souls are together in God, enjoying forever the happiness of Heaven - that happiness which St. Scholastica had wanted to spend her last visit with her brother speaking about.