If you think prayer is just about quiet meditation, you haven’t met Saint Scholastica! She did not leave behind a Rule or a massive monastery. Instead, she left us a breathtaking masterclass in the perseverance of prayer.

Scholastica wanted her twin brother to stay with her through the night and talk about spiritual things. He resisted, so Scholastica prayed. Here is an excerpt from the account by Saint Gregory the Great from his Dialogues:

So Scholastica turned to Jesus in prayer. She clasped her hands together, bowed her head, and asked him for one last night with Benedict. She would not move from this position, asking Jesus again, and again, and again. Benedict, not wanting to leave her like this, waited for her to stop.

Finally, she lifted her eyes to heaven, and her prayer was answered in an unexpected way. A severe thunderstorm erupted, unleashing torrential rain, thunder, and lightning, making it impossible for Benedict to return home.

Benedict was astonished. “God forgive you, sister,” he said. “What have you done?” Scholastica replied calmly, “I asked a favor of you, and you refused it. I asked it of God, and he has granted it.”

So, Benedict stayed, and they spent the entire night talking about Heaven. Scholastica passed away just a few days later.

Here are three lessons we learn from Saint Scholastica, supported by the Rule of her brother Benedict:

Work on preserving meaningful relationships. No other relationship was more important to Scholastica than her brother’s. They lead each other to Christ. We must preserve relationships that are centered on our growth in Christ. In preserving life-giving relationships, the Rule addresses bitterness versus good zeal:

Just as there is a wicked zeal of bitterness which separates from God and leads to hell, so there is a good zeal which separates from evil and leads to God and everlasting life. This, then, is the good zeal which monks must foster with fervent love: They should each try to be the first to show respect to the other (Rom 12:10), Supporting with the greatest patience one another’s weaknesses of body or behavior, and earnestly competing in obedience to one another (RB 72.1-6).

The Rule encourages us to work toward good zeal that leads to God, rather than a bitter, divisive zeal that separates us from God. Work on preserving relationships by growing in deep respect for others.

Second, always turn to prayer in every decision. Scholastica wanted her brother to spend the night talking of holy things. She prayed earnestly, and her prayer was granted. God invites us to turn to him in every decision. The Benedictine hearts desires to live in a “school of the Lord’s service” (RB Prologue 45). We are always learning, and we have many restarts in being taught how to pray. As students, we must always persevere, always begin, and never give up on the task of prayer.

Finally, embrace humility. Scholastica was a Religious, so her life was infused with the presence of God. Every person who desires to follow our Lord authentically must walk in humility. In the Rule, Saint Benedict states:

The first step of humility is unhesitating obedience, which comes naturally to those who cherish Christ above all (RB 5.1).

There is an immediacy to being obedient, as we hear actions to do it promptly (RB 5.4), immediately (RB 5.7), and quickly and swiftly (RB 5.9). Obedience is this determination to move forward toward God, steadily and with intention.

Obedience is rooted in Christ alone. The only way to be obedient is to listen. The art of listening well is at the heart of Benedictine spirituality. When we listen, we can weed out what is not essential. When we hear a command, we can respond with generosity of heart.

PRAYER

Live in my heart, Jesus, and help me to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Help me be daring enough to ask you what I need. You are a loving God who knows what is best for me. Let me hide in the shadow of your cross, where all love, all desires must be rooted.