It is a long-standing tradition for us to invite the monks of Conception Abbey over for Vespers and supper to begin celebration of the Feast of St. Scholastica, our patron saint.

With our chapel and monastery closed this year we are honoring the tradition but with a twist. The monks invited us over to their chapel and dining room yesterday evening for First Vespers of St. Scholastica and supper.  Both communities enjoy a special camaraderie, and these special times are filled with an abundance of catching up, rejoicing and thanksgiving, much like St. Benedict and his twin sister, St. Scholastica.

Statue of St. Scholastica in our Adoration Chapel in Clyde

St. Scholastica was the sister of St. Benedict and founded a monastery is Plombariola, Italy near her brother’s Monte Cassino. Upon her death, according to legend, St. Benedict envisioned her soul departing her body and ascending into heaven in the form of a dove.

(From saintbenedict.org) – “O God, to show us where innocence leads, you made the soul of your virgin Saint Scholastica soar to heaven like a dove in flight. Grant through her merits and her prayers that we may so live in innocence as to attain to joys everlasting. This we ask through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.”

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