St Scholastica

St Scholastica was the twin sister of St Benedict, the founder of the Benedictine Order. She was born around 480 and died in 543. She and her brother were very close. After he founded the Benedictines at Monte Cassino, she founded a convent about 5 miles away. The two were even buried together. St Gregory the Great said, "death did not separate the bodies of these two whose minds were ever united in the Lord."
One of the more well known stories of Scholastica and her brother tells of their last meeting together. Scholastica had known that this would be the last time they would be together before her death and she asked Benedict to stay the night with her in conversation. He did not want to break his Benedictine rule and so refused. However, Scholastica prayed that God would somehow intervene. He did so by causing a storm that forced Benedict to stay. When he became upset with his sister for this prayer, she replied, "I asked a favor of you and you refused it. I asked God and He granted it."
It is said that upon her death, Benedict saw Scholastica's soul leave her body in the form of a dove.
St Scholastica was consecrated to God at an early age and lived a holy life. Her prayers on earth were very powerful and are more so now in heaven. She is often invoked against storms. So on this very stormy, snowy day in the northeast, I ask her intercession for all those who must be out in the storm.

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.