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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