Holiness in Pairs

Had today not been Sunday, the Church would have celebrated the memorial of St. Scholastica. She was the biological sister of St. Benedict, and following the example of her brother, founded a community of monastic women. The two had a close relationship and spurred one another to holiness.

As I think of Scholastica today, I am struck by the fact that the Church has so many examples of holy pairs: Peter and Paul, Cyril and Methodius, Augustine and Ambrose, Thomas Aquinas and Albert the Great, Francis and Claire of Assisi, John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila, John Paul II and Mother Theresa. The list goes on and on. It should not, however, surprise us to see so many pairings of saints. The path to holiness is narrow, we are told, and it is so very easy to to walk the wide road. We need others to inspire us, to push us forward when our will to love God becomes weak. I expect that this is part of the rationale for forming priests in community. In minor seminary, my rector would often remark that "formation happens in community." I think he was right. As often as not, the progress I made was due to the promptings of my brothers who had the integrity to push me forward when the saw the need.

Of course, the other side of the coin is the need that each of us has for humility. It takes a great deal of courage and humility to admit that one needs the help of others, and to accept help from others when it is offered. This is the witness of the saints.

St. Scholastica and St. Benedict, pray for us.