OF COURSE we finish up a full week of saintly action by ignoring the cultural phenomenon of St. Patrick's Day. No green beer for us -- we're all purple all the time anyway. No, today in Lent Madness it's Scholastica vs. Macrina the Younger with nary a shamrock in sight! This contest is chock-full of sibling rivalry as Scholastica was St. Benedict of Nursia's twin sister while Macrina had a plethora of saintly siblings. Read on for details...
Yesterday Amelia Bloomer yanked down Phillipp Melanchthon by a wide margin of 74% to 26% to advance to the Saintly Sixteen.
As you prepare for a full 48 hours of saintly voting deprivation, we wanted to point out that you don't have to wait until Monday morning to discover the results of this matchup. After the polls close in 24 hours, simply click on this post and scroll down to see the results. You can also click on the Bracket tab for all the current results.
We'll see you bright and early on Monday for the Battle of the Consonants aka Name-a-Geddon as Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky faces Nikolaus von Zinzendorf. Now go vote!
Scholastica
Double the pleasure; double the fun! Born in fifth-century Italy, Scholastica was the twin sister of Benedict of Nursia, the founder of Benedictine monasticism. Stories report that from an early age, Scholastica was dedicated to God. As a daughter from a wealthy family, she received an excellent education.
Learned, devout, and authoritative, Scholastica is considered the founder of the female branch of Benedictine monasticism. The historical record is not entirely clear about whether she began a convent or merely lived in a hermitage with other female monastics at the base of Mount Cassino, where there is an ancient church named after her.
Pope Gregory records the most well-known story of Scholastica, showing her to be a twin to her visionary brother in every way. She was believed to visit Benedict annually, and they would spend the day in prayer and discussion. When the evening drew near on one such visit, Benedict announced he needed to return to his cell. Scholastica asked him to stay so they could continue talking. Not wishing to break his own rule, Benedict insisted upon returning to his cell. In response, Scholastica brought her hands together in an attitude of prayer. Almost instantly a fierce storm rose up outside. Benedict asked, “What have you done?” She replied, “I asked you, and you would not listen; so I asked my God, and he did listen.” Benedict was unable to return to his monastery, and the twins spent the night in discussion, as Scholastica requested.
Three days later, while looking out the window of his cell, Benedict saw his sister’s soul ascending to heaven. He sent for her body and laid it in a tomb that he he had prepared for himself. Scholastica’s death from natural causes was recorded in 543. Scholastica is petitioned during storms and is also the patron saint of female monastics and epileptic children. Her feast day is February 10.
Collect for Scholastica
God, giver of wisdom and ruler of will, we thank you for the gift of our sister Scholastica, who spent a life devoted to family, prayer, and spiritual discipline. Grant us a portion of that same spirit of conviction and tenacity, so that when faced with difficult conversations or partings, we might also remember the true joy and peace that is found in serving you, through Jesus Christ our Lord who, with you and the Holy Spirit, reigns now and for ever. Amen.
Macrina the Younger
Born around 327, Macrina was the eldest of nine (or ten) children and was named after her grandmother (Macrina the Elder) who endured persecution under the Romans. Her parents Basil the Elder and Emmelia of Caesarea must have known something about raising children—half of their offspring are remembered as saints—Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa (two of the three Cappadocian Fathers), Peter of Sebaste, Naucratius, and Macrina.
Macrina was betrothed to a young man who died shortly before their marriage. Upon his death, Macrina took a vow of chastity, considering herself already married to the young man and expecting to be reunited at the resurrection. After the death of her father, Macrina convinced her mother to take vows, and they both became nuns. Some time later, a tumor began to grow on Macrina’s breast. Her mother begged her to see a doctor to have the tumor removed. Macrina refused, asking her mother to make the sign of the cross on her chest. Her mother did this, and the tumor miraculously disappeared with a faint, cross-shaped scar taking its place.
Upon her mother’s death, with the help of her brother Peter, Macrina turned the family home into a monastery and convent. Living an ascetic life, she worked with her hands and lived simply with the other monastics. She gave herself to the study of scriptures and continued to offer counsel and inspiration to her better-known, younger brothers.
In 379, shortly after Basil died, a still-mourning Gregory came to visit Macrina and found her on her deathbed—a rough plank of wood with a smaller piece of wood for a pillow. So extreme was her poverty and asceticism that they could not find even a cloth to cover her. Although she neared death, she offered words of comfort to her brother and encouraged him to remember the promise of the resurrection. Their conversation inspired Gregory’s treatise, On the Soul and the Resurrection. Gregory also wrote a biography of his sister, The Life of Macrina.
Collect for Macrina the Younger
Merciful God, you called your servant Macrina to reveal in her life and her teaching the riches of your grace and truth: May we, following her example, seek after your wisdom and live according to her way; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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230 comments on “Scholastica vs. Macrina the Younger”
I'm still on the fence. I'm reflecting on Scholastica and the storm. It was crucially important that Benedict not put himself above the Rule he had created. Leaders, by virtue of leading, often have to be toughest on themselves. So I really have to love Scholastica for "cutting the Gordian knot" and allowing her brother the space to lead and to love without the two being in contradiction.
I was raised by "Bennies. Need I say more
Changing the subject ever so slightly. I'd recommend googling Macrina's brother Naucratius and also googling the Order of Saint Naucratius. Such a remarkable family!
OH NO! My bracket is going to be busted if Macrina loses... I had her taking the Halo! What an amazing lady and family.
I had to vote for Marcina. We're both the oldest children, and we both have mothers who survived breast cancer. I love Scholastica but the choice was clear for me.
Scholastica for me -- because having brothers is the greatest and hosting them is lovely. Besides Macrina is just too weird.
I agree with Macrina being too weird. The wooden bed and pillow put me off her entirely.
I wasn't enthusiastic about this match up but went with Scholastica because of her importance to the Benedictine order. Really I'm still trying to get over my disappointment that my choice to win the Golden Halo this year, Joan of Arc, was eliminated in the first round! I'll re-group on the weekend, no doubt, and promise to have a better Lenten attitude by Monday.
Scholastica here, "protector in storms". Being in Florida, I want her around come next hurricane season!
I'm the eldest of a large family, and though my siblings are good folks all around, they would probably never be considered 'saints.' 😉 Still, so much goodness and guidance from one family! Then there is Scholastica. . . I, too, love storms . . . and know dear ones who grapple with epilepsy. . .and many who have/are grappling with breast cancer. . . What's a soul to do?! Leave the decision to the Holy Spirit and flip a coin. (Did it. . . Scholastica it is!)
As an elder daughter, who lost my mother to breast cancer, l vote for Macrina. I love the work of the Cappadocian Father's, and to know that Macrina shaped their lives and theology makes me thankful for the mnay women theologians, often unsung, who have shaped the faith we have received.
I'm glad I voted for Macrina. She deserves a closer race than this.
Macrina was the name chosen by Madeleine L'Engle for an exceptionally empathetic and intelligent dolphin in one of my favorite childhood books, The Arm of the Starfish. Faced with an otherwise tough decision, I'm going with Macrina.
I've always meant to read that book! Thanks for the reminder!
Hi
I have two children who have epilepsy, they are not epileptic children! Please use our language carefully. Thank you.
Scholastics, because God listened to her prayer.
On behalf of the wonderful ladies of Mt. St. Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas, I had to vote for Scholastica. I also love that she was treated as an equal by her brother St. Benedict.
Scholastica, because God listened to her prayer. (And she didn't have to combat the evils of spellcheckers.)
I agree. What an amazing family. I had no idea. But why the deliberate disrespect of the Irish? After all, they saved Western Civilization!
Boo hiss, SEC. How dare you call St. Patrick's Day a cultural phenomenon. A little hypocritical in light of your Lenten "devotion" is you ask me.
Scholastica all the way. I was ordained to the Deaconate on her feast day.
In honor of the wonderful hospitality of the Benedictine nuns at the monestary in Tulsa OK I support Scholastica.
I love both of these strong, holy women, but the thunderstorm and Scholastica is one of my favorite saintly stories.
Heavens above .... another tough choice today!
Both choices today are women who lead remarkable monastic lives with Macrina the Younger getting my vote. A prayer written by Macrina the Younger is spot on for Lent: "You have released us, O Lord, from the fear of death. You have made the end of life here on earth a beginning of true life for us." Her prayer was recorded by St. Gregory of Nyssa (her brother) and translated by Kevin Corrigan. While Scholastica very well educated, Macrina the Younger consciously rejected all Classical education, choosing instead devoted study of Scripture and other sacred writings. It is hard to vote against Scholastica who could summon a fierse storm but the remarkable life of Macrina the Younger deserves our vote.
I didn't see any posts about how Macrina's breast tumor and how her mother made it disappear. If only it could be that easy. Macrina gets my vote this time.
There were several posts (mine included), but nowhere near as many as I'd expected.
Scholastica, because she understood that love and relationships are more important than rules.
As a Benedictine, I am constrained to vote for Scholastica.
I had to vote for Macrina the Younger. Scholasticatempted her brother and used God to fill her own wants.
God answered her prayer; she didn't control God. If God had thought her intention was selfish or unwise, there would have been no storm.
No No No!!!! We can't have Macrina just because she suffered in silence and slept on a wooden pillow. Women are always suffering and putting themselves last. Scholastica took a stand with her brother and got what she needed -- she got taken seriously in an intellectual conversation. Scholastica is what we need more of!!!!!!!!!!!
I attend St. Benedict's in Los Osos, CA, and our Altar Guild is named in honor of Scholastica! Her icon is posted on the front of the Altar Guild closet...so I see her almost daily. So there is no question who I voted for.
As a weather weenie, how can I not vote for Scholastica. And my spiritual director is a Benedictine Nun; it's just no contest!