Saint Scholastica, Virgin
by VP
Posted on Tuesday February 10, 2026 at 12:00AM in Saints
Mort de Sainte-Scholastique - 1730 painting, Alsace, Bas-Rhin, Altorf, Saint-Cyriaque abbey church
"A holy virgin, sister of St. Benedict; "who," as St. Gregory says, was chosen from her cradle to be a victim holy and agreeable to God." She lived for some years in the world; but in such manner as if it had been a solitude, shutting her heart and eyes to all its charms, and not letting the considerable inheritance which fell to her, by her brother's forsaking the world, make any change in the method of her life, or in the design she had of going into retirement. Wherefore she soon followed her brother, choosing a place near his monastery, where she lived in the practice of a general self-denial, even so as never to see her brother but once a-year. As she was not allowed to enter his monastery, he went out with some of his monks to meet her, at a house at some small distance. They spent these visits in the praises of God, and in spiritual conferences. The last time that they met, St. Scholastica begged her brother towards evening to delay his return till the next day, that they might discourse during the night of the happiness of heaven. St. Benedict desired her not to insist on such a request, as he could not pass a night out of his monastery. His holy sister prayed to God very earnestly; and her prayer was scarcely ended, when there came such a storm of thunder, lightning, and rain, that St. Benedict and his companions were obliged to remain in the house. He complained to her, saying, "God forgive you, sister, what have you done?" She answered: "I asked a favour of you, and you refused it me: I asked it of Almighty God, and He has granted it." They accordingly passed the night in pious conferences, and the next morning they parted, to meet no more in this world. St. Scholastica died three days afterwards.
Pray for all religious, that the spirit of this saint may be preserved among them; that having retired from the world, they may not find pretexts to keep up still a commerce with it. Pray for all who are amidst the dangers of the world, that they may be watchful and mindful that religious duties must be the exercise of all who think in earnest of gaining heaven." A Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Prayer for Spiritual Fathers
Most gracious Heavenly Father, we thank
Thee for thou faithful priests and bishops, whose spiritual fatherhood
and example of fidelity, self-sacrifice, and devotion is so vital to the
faith of your people. May our spiritual fathers be guided by the
example of St. John Vianney. Give them valiant faith in the face of
confusion and conflict, hope in time of trouble and sorrow, and
steadfast love for Thee, for their families, and for all Thou people
throughout the world.
May the light of Thy Truth shine through
their lives and their good works. Assist all spiritual fathers, that
through Thy Grace they may steadily grow in holiness and in knowledge
and understanding of Thy Truth. May they generously impart this
knowledge to those who rely on them, Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Source: Faithfulness of Christ, Faithfulness of Priests: Curé of Ars St. John Marie Vianney, a true example of a pastor at the service of Christ's flock.
Because they have not known the Father nor Me.
by VP
Posted on Tuesday February 10, 2026 at 12:00AM in Quotes
Behold the fatal cause of the persecutions of the Apostles, and of other Ecclesiastics !
Behold the source of the damnation of innumerable souls, ignorance, wilful and deliberate !
Because no one understandeth, they shall perish for ever" (Job. iv. 20).
If people are, in great part, slaves of the devil, it is from want of knowledge : "Therefore is My people led away captive, because they had not knowledge" (Is. v. 13). "Where there is no knowledge of the soul there is no good " (Prov. xix. 2). And we must acknowledge with grief that this ignorance, which is the mother of all vices, springs from the carelessness of Priests, because they neglect to preach the Word of God, which is "living and effectual" (Heb. iv. 12). Justly, therefore, does St. Gregory declare against such priests as render themselves guilty of the ruin of innumerable souls, who are thus lost for want of instruction. We who are called Priests, he says, are guilty of murdering men's souls, for we are the cause of the death of all those whom by our tepidity and silence we allow to go to destruction.
Let us remember what the devil one day said to a French Priest, who was preparing to make a speech at the opening of a synod : " The Rulers of the infernal darkness salute the Rectors of Parish Churches, and thank them for their negligence in teaching the people; because sin is born of ignorance, and damnation is born of sin."
Let us implore the Holy Spirit to bestow on us (priests) a little of that light and zeal which he gave to St. Paul, so that we may be able to say with him, "I am clear from the blood of all men, for I have not spared to declare unto you all the counsel of God" (Acts xx. 26, 27). " By the Word of the Lord the heavens were established, and all the power of them by the Spirit of His mouth." — Pu xxxii. 6. " I will pour out My Spirit upon thy seed, and My blessing upon thy stock' Is xliv. 3.
