The St. Scholastica Monastery Is One of the Best Pilgrimage Opportunities in the Country
Don't you love it when multiple family members are all canonized? (We are looking at you, Sts. Louis, Zelie, and Therese!)
A great example is St. Benedict and his sister, St. Scholastica, the latter of whom has a feast day on February 12th.
Johann Baptist Wenzel Bergl via Wikimedia Commons
St. Scholastica, born in 480 AD in Nursia, Italy, was the twin sister of St. Benedict, the founder of Western monasticism. Like her brother, Scholastica dedicated her life to God and established a monastery for women near Monte Cassino, where Benedict’s monastery was located. She is considered one of the earliest Benedictine nuns.
The most well-known story about St. Scholastica involves a meeting with her brother shortly before her death. When Benedict prepared to leave, Scholastica prayed, and a sudden storm arose, preventing his departure so they could continue their conversation about God. She passed away shortly after, around 543 AD, and her brother saw her soul ascending to heaven.
In honor of St. Scholastica, we invite you to make a pilgrimage to her via the St. Scholastica Monastery:
Located in Fort Smith, Arkansas, the St. Scholastica Monastery is a place to "live, pray, and grow together," as it is the home of the Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica.
On a mission to "respond to the needs of the people of God in a spirit of hospitality, simplicity, and reverence for one another and all creation," the St. Scholastica Monastery is a true respite for Catholics, as the grounds offer many different ways to grow in your faith.
Situated on 66 beautiful acres, the St. Scholastica Monastery boasts winding paths with gardens and grottos, perfect for reflection and prayer.
Guests at St. Scholastica are also invited to pray with the sisters via Sunday mass and daily praise sessions.
A full list of prayer times can be found here.
Public tours of the Monastery are available with at least 24 hours' notice!
To book your tour, please call (479) 783-4147.
In addition to all of the above, the St. Scholastica Monastery is also home to a gift shop chock full of religious items and beautiful gifts.
To learn more about the St. Scholastica Monastery, please visit their website.