- December 3, 2023
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2024 Spring On-Air Appeal – May 6-10 – Call 1-877-711-8500!
The twin sister of the great St. Benedict, Scholastica was born to a noble family in Nursia, Italy, around the year 480. She consecrated her virginity to God at a young age, and when Benedict founded the famous abbey at Monte Cassino, Scholastica was inspired to form a community herself. Benedict found a place near his abbey, where under his guidance Scholastica became the first abbess of a convent following the rule her brother had composed. Every year, the two siblings met in a little house near Monte Cassino for one day, to pray and discuss spiritual matters. Near the end of Scholastica’s life, in the year of Our Lord 543, the holy abbess desired a little more time with her brother, but Benedict insisted on leaving when the day was over, as usual. Scholastica prayed that God might grant them more time, and suddenly a torrential thunderstorm arose, preventing Benedict and his companions from leaving. The siblings spent the rest of the night in discussion and contemplation, and three days after they parted Benedict saw his sister’s soul ascend straight to heaven in the form of a dove. Scholastica is now hailed as a patroness of rain and against storms.
ON Mount Cassino, St. Scholastica, a virgin, whose soul her brother, St. Benedict, the abbot, saw leaving her body in the form of a dove, and ascending to heaven.
At Rome, the holy martyrs Zoticus, Irenaeus, Hyacinthus, and Amantius.
In the same place, on the Lavican road, ten holy soldiers, martyrs.
Also at Rome, on the Appian way, St. Soteres, virgin and martyr, who was descended of a noble race, as St. Ambrose testifies, but for the love of Christ set at naught the consular and other dignities of her family. On her refusal to sacrifice to the gods, she was for a long time cruelly buffeted. After she had overcome various other torments, she was struck with the sword, and joyfully went to her heavenly spouse.
In Campania, St. Silvanus, bishop and confessor.
At Maleval, in the diocese of Siena, St. William, a hermit.
In the diocese of Rouen, St. Austreberta, a virgin renowned for miracles.
℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
℟. Thanks be to God.
