Biography as the Call to Holiness (Lumen Gentium par. 39)
The holy twins were born in Nursia, Italy in 480. They were inseparable and the best of friends. As children they liked to climb trees and feed stray cats. They squabbled loudly, with Benedict making rules for games and Scholastica choosing to ignore them. While their spiritual paths were different they shared a common desire to serve God and the Church.

Benedict studied in Rome while Scholastica gathered holy women around her in Nursia. Benedict the bookworm, loved learning and writing. Scholastica the care giver, loved tending to the poor and sick. While Benedict was disturbed by the temptations in a big city, Scholastica prayed for his peace of soul. Benedict founded the Abbey of Monte Cassino. Scholastica visited him there once a year at the gatehouse. The holy twins died within months of each other and both are interred in the same grave.

LITANY

Abba God, the source of our call to holiness.................................Have mercy on us

Son of God, companion on the road to holiness............................Have mercy on us

Spirit of God, fire to embrace the desire for holiness.....................Have mercy on us

St. Benedict, monk, founder and Holy Father...............................Pray for us

St. Scholastica, nun, care giver and Holy Mother.........................Pray for us

St. Benedict, source of a holy rule

St. Scholastica, source of a holy contentment

St. Benedict, model of obedience

St. Scholastica, model of humility

Holy Twins, patron saints of Benedictine Monasteries

Holy Twins, model of Abbots and Prioresses

Holy Twins, patrons of stability

Holy Twins, fire for religious life

Holy Twins, courage for monks and mystics

Holy Twins, canonized by acclamation

Let us pray,
Almighty God, we join with all the saints in celebrating the lives of the holy twins Scholastica and Benedict. Help us live in the spirit of their charisms of kindness, simplicity and peace, preferring nothing to the love revealed in your son, Jesus Christ, who in unity with the Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses of justice, hope and peace to all. Amen.

Composed by Rev. Paul G. Mast for the 150th anniversary year of the founding of the Benedictine Sisters of Ridgely, MD 2006-2007. Special thanks to Sr. Gerard Falkowski, Prioress and Sister Patricia Gamgort for editorial assistance.

Permission to copy may be obtained at: pmast1104@comcast.net