Power of St. Scholastica’s Prayer – Feb 10 – Homily – Fr John Lawrence

 

Fr John Lawrence gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Feb 10, 2025, on how St. Scholastica and St. Benedict, twin saints devoted to God, shared a final spiritual conversation before her miraculous prayer brought down a storm, keeping them together one last night before her soul ascended to heaven in the form of a dove.

St. Scholastica and St. Benedict, twin siblings in spirit and holiness, dedicated their lives to God through monastic life, preserving faith and learning amid the collapse of the Roman West (Proverbs 9:10). Once a year, they met for a day of prayer and conversation. During their last meeting on February 7, 547, St. Scholastica, moved by love (1 John 4:16), asked her brother to stay longer and speak of heaven. When he refused due to monastic discipline (Matthew 5:37), she turned to God in prayer (James 5:16), and immediately a storm arose, preventing St. Benedict from leaving. St. Gregory the Great (CCC 2683) observed that her request was granted because "she loved more," affirming that prayer born of charity is powerful (1 Corinthians 13:2). Three days later, St. Benedict saw her soul ascend to heaven in the form of a dove, a sign of the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:22). After her death, her relics were laid in his tomb, symbolizing their eternal unity in Christ (John 11:25). Their legacy continued through monasticism, safeguarding faith and knowledge for future generations (CCC 2182). Even in World War II, their tomb remained miraculously unharmed, a testament to divine protection (Psalm 91:11). Their story echoes Christ’s teaching on love’s triumph over law (Mark 12:33), reminding us that true holiness flows from a heart surrendered to God.

For Further Reading
Sirach 33:15 - NAB - "All things come in pairs, one opposite the other" - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/sirach/33?15
1 John 4:16 - NAB - "God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God" - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/4?16
James 5:16 - NAB - "The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful" - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/james/5?16
Catechism of the Catholic Church #2683 - The Saints as intercessors - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2683.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church #2182 - Importance of worship and communal prayer - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2182.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1023 - The souls of the just are in heaven - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1023.htm

00:00 – Introduction
00:10 – Pairs in Creation and Saints
00:44 – Life of St. Scholastica
01:58 – Fall of Rome and Monasticism
02:42 – St. Scholastica and St. Benedict
03:31 – Their Annual Spiritual Meetings
04:49 – The Miracle of the Storm
06:06 – St. Scholastica’s Death and Vision
07:07 – Monte Cassino and WWII Bombing

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Scholastica - Mem - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=240
Readings: Monday 5th Week of Ordinary Time - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/021025.cfm
1st: gen 1:1-19
Resp: psa 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 24, 35
Gsp: mar 6:53-56

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1034&r=1383

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