What we know of the life of Scholastica is drawn from The Dialogues, Gregory the Great’s biography of her brother, Benedict, the founder of Western Monasticism. Born of a noble Roman family in Nursia in Umbria, Italy, Scholastica was dedicated to God at a young age. She led a community of virgins at Plombariola, not far from Monte Cassino, the monastery Benedict had founded. She visited her brother once a year, meeting for prayer and conversation just outside the monastery walls. It was shortly after one of these meetings, in the year 542, that Benedict, looking out from the monastery, saw his sister’s soul ascend to heaven like a dove. For more about this saint, please click on the image. Peace be with you!