Hers Was the Greater Love

St. Scholastica lived an obscure life in Italy in the 5th/6th century. Why, then, are so many monasteries, churches, chapels, and schools named after her?

The only source of information we have about St. Scholastica is contained in a single story in the Dialogues of St. Gregory. St. Gregory reports that St. Benedict used to visit his sister, Scholastica, one day a year and that he would return to his monastery before nightfall. On the occasion of one visit, Scholastica enjoined her brother to continue their visit through the night, but he refused. Scholastica bowed her head and entreated God that her brother might stay with her, and a mighty storm arose that prevented Benedict from departing.

St. Gregory commented, “This wish of St. Benedict [to return to his monastery] was thwarted by a miracle almighty God performed in answer to a woman’s prayer. We need not be surprised that in this instance she proved mightier than her brother…. Do we not read in St. John that God is love? Surely it is no more than right that her influence was greater than his, since hers was the greater love.”

Hence St. Gregory provides the answer as to why St. Scholastica’s name continues to be so prominent more than 1500 years after her death. The memory of those who exhibited great love will echo through creation forever.