St. Scholastica celebrates ‘sisterhood’ on feast day

February 3, 2020

By Madeleine Bechac
GUEST COLUMN St. Scholastica Academy
Photo | COURTESY ST. SCHOLASTICA ACADEMY

In the words of St. Gregory the Great, “(St. Scholastica) could do more because she loved more.” Throughout her life, St. Scholastica epitomized the Benedictine core principles of prayer, work, study and community. She led by example, and with determination and faith in God, was able to achieve her mission.

That same spirit of St. Scholastica is alive today in the students of St. Scholastica Academy (SSA). In and out of the classroom, girls strive to model her strength and work toward their goals. They are reminded to look daily to St. Scholastica for guidance and intercessory prayer.

A vibrant buzz circles SSA’s campus each year on Feb.10 in celebration of St. Scholastica’s feast day. It begins with a Mass at St. Peter Church in Covington – held this year at 10:40 a.m. with students and alumnae – in remembrance of her life and accomplishments for the good of others. After the Gospel, several seniors retell St. Scholastica’s life story, beginning with her childhood in Italy with twin brother St. Benedict in 480 AD.

We are reminded of her deep faith as a youngster, her decision to answer God’s call, and her love and trust in God to do the impossible. St. Scholastica felt deeply for the poor children in her town. The Benedictine community she founded established many schools.

After Mass, eighth graders with a mother or grandmother who graduated from SSA will be recognized as an “SSA Legacy” in a Legacy Pinning Ceremony. The relative will do the pinning, denoting a personal history of sisterhood at SSA.

“I think her feast day brings us back to our roots,” said senior Margaret Cazenavette. “We celebrate something outside of ourselves, and I think that’s the main thing – celebrating. That’s what St. Scholastica would want us to do.”