Saint Scholastica, Virgin - Died 543

St. Scholastica was the sister of St. Benedict, founder of the Benedictine order. She led a women's monastery not far from her brother's. 

It is usual in the art to represent St. Scholastica in the black habit of a Benedictine nun, as in the image at left. The book represents the Rule of St. Benedict, the basis for monasticism in the West. The dove reflects the account of St. Scholastica's death in which Benedict is said to have seen her soul flying up to Heaven in the form of a dove (see hagiography below). The object in her right hand, which here seems to be some sort of standard, is more commonly a crozier, representing her abbatial authority.

Feast day: February 10

At left, "Santa Escolástica" - Museum of the Church of San Paio

Other images:
"Santa Escolastica" - Same museum
The Death of St. Scholastica

Hagiography:
    Golden Legend #49 (life of Benedict)
    Gregory the Great's Life of St. Benedict, chapters 33 (cache) and 34 (cache)

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