At the end of each school day, Benet Academy students ask St. Scholastica and St. Benedict to pray for them. These words easily get swept up in the humdrum of daily life; however, they carry immense meaning and value. St. Scholastica is the twin sister of St. Benedict. According to FaithND’s profile of her, the two were very close. They met annually despite busy schedules at the monastery and convent. They spent time in prayer and conversation at these meetings. On the day of what St. Scholastica thought would be their last meeting, St. Benedict was about to leave because he made a promise to not be away from the monastery overnight. However, St. Scholastica begged him to stay. When he would not comply, she went to God. He granted her plea with a storm, forcing St. Benedict to stay. St. Scholastica passed away shortly after, but her impact was not forgotten. Both she and St. Benedict set a profound example of sacrifice, faith, discipline, and love.
St. Scholastica’s influence reaches every pillar of Benet. Benet’s faith, academics, arts, and athletics are all rooted in her faithful example. For instance, the Benet Girls’ Cross Country Team says, “St. Scholastica, pray for us,” during their team prayer, which is said before every single race. Sophomore Sarah Read, a captain of the team, was asked to reflect on what this moment means to her. She said, “One of my favorite parts of race day are those couple of minutes right before the start when we take the time to slow down and say a prayer. For every meet that I can remember, our team has prayed to St. Scholastica, and all the nerves have disappeared and we are filled with calm and confidence for those few seconds before the gun goes off.”
This sense of calm and confidence is very familiar to Benet. St. Scholastica represents and embodies Benedictine faith and values. She is a model to all Redwings. The next time the afternoon announcements come on, or you pull into the St. Scholastica parking lot, take a moment to remember her great faith and immense love for Christ. St. Scholastica, Pray for us!
