10 February The tradition makes Scholastica the twin sister of St. Benedict of Nursia. Born in 480, she consecrated herself to God from her early childhood and later entered the monastery.

Just after the foundation of Benedict's monastery in Mont-Cassin, she came to live and founded a monastery at the foot of the mountain to be near her brother. They agreed to meet once a year in a house halfway between their respective monasteries to pray together and exchange on the spiritual life.

One day, at the end of their meeting, Scholastica asked his brother to stay and continue their conversation, but Benedict, respecting the rules of his community, refused. Scholastica continued to pray and a storm of such violence broke out, preventing Benedict from taking to the road. He had to stay and pray all night with his sister. It was their last meeting, for Scholastica died three days later and saw his soul enter heaven in the form of a dove.

Scholastica did not found a congregation but the Benedictine nuns considered her the mother of the congregation because she was the first female nun to follow the rules of St. Benedict. St. Scholastica is invoked in the case of epileptic seizures in children and also in the case of storms and thunder. But she is also invoked in case of drought to obtain rain as she did so that her brother would stay with her.

Message from the Bishops at the end of the Pilgrimage

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, You who have come in such large numbers to take part in this national pilgrimage, as well as all of you who are following it from home through the media. We, the bishops of Madagascar, would like to express our deep gratitude to you for having responded to our invitation and for having brought this jubilee initiated by Pope Francis to life spiritually. With you, we take up Mary's song: ‘My soul exalts the Lord’ and we repeat with her: ‘What shall I repay the Lord for all the good he has done me?’....

Read more ...

Love and Salvation

Christmas is a great joy, because it is the love of God that has come to us, proclaims Fr. Bizimana Innocent, Provincial Superior of the Salesians Don Bosco of Madagascar and Mauritius, presenting his Christmas greetings. Salvation is accomplished, so life is not in danger of disappearing. It is this love and this salvation that we wish to fill our life so that we have peace.

Read more ...

Zatti, our brother

The short film "Zatti, our brother" (Argentina, 2020) focuses on one of the most difficult episodes of his life. We are in Viedma, in 1941: at the age of 60, Zatti is forced to leave the hospital he has attended for decades. His faith and strength are tested.

Read more ...