Scholastica born c. 480, is a saint of the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church and Anglican Communion, who was born in Italy. A ninth-century tradition makes her the twin sister of Saint Benedict of Nursia. Her feast day is 10 February, Saint Scholastica’s Day. She is traditionally regarded as the founder of the Benedictine nuns. She died on February 10, AD 543.
Scholastica is the patron saint of Benedictine nuns, convulsive children, and education, and is invoked against storms and rain. Her feast is celebrated on February 10, which bears special importance in the Benedictine monastic calendar.
In iconography, St. Scholastica is represented in a Benedictine habit, often as an abbess, and holding the Rule of Saint Benedict, with a crucifix or an ascending dove.
The saint was selected as the main motif for a high value commemorative coin: the Austria €50 ‘The Christian Religious Orders’, issued on March 13, 2002. On the obverse (head) side of the coin, she is depicted alongside Benedict, her brother.
Scholastica is honored on the calendars of both the Church of England, and the Episcopal Church on February 10, whilst the calendar of the Diocese of Aachen has an additional feast of the translation of Scholastica’s relics on February 6, the Premonstratensians commemorate her on February 9.
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