Page 46 - Saints of the Month: February
P. 46

Saints of the Month: February

                       OF this Saint but little is known on earth,
                       save that she was the sister of the great
                       patriarch St. Benedict, and that, under his
                       direction, she founded and governed a
                       numerous community near Monte Casino.
                       St. Gregory sums up her life by saying that
                       she devoted herself to God from her
                       childhood, and that her pure soul went to
                       God in the likeness of a dove, as if to show
                       that her life had been enriched with the
                       fullest gifts of the Holy Spirit. Her brother
                       was accustomed to visit her every year, for
                       “she could not be sated or wearied with the
                       words of grace which flowed from his lips.”
                       On his last visit, after a day passed in
                       spiritual converse, the Saint, knowing that
                       her end was near, said, “My brother, leave
                       me not, I pray you, this night, but discourse
                       with me till dawn on the bliss of those who
                       see God in heaven.” St. Benedict would not,
                       break his rule at the bidding of natural
                       affection; and then the Saint bowed her
                       head on her hands and prayed; and there
                       arose a storm so violent that St. Benedict
                       could not return to his monastery, and they
                       passed the night in heavenly conversation.
                       Three days later St. Benedict saw in a vision
                       the soul of his sister going up in the likeness
                       of a dove into heaven. Then he gave thanks
                       to God for the graces He had given her, and
                       for the glory which had crowned them.
                       When she died, St. Benedict, her spiritual
                       daughters, and the monks sent by St.
                       Benedict mingled their tears and prayed,


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