Mother Scholastica: Biography

By Sr. Mary Tiziana Dal Masetto, August 25th, 2012

Orsola Maria Rivata, Sister Maria Scholastica born in Guarene, Cuneo Diocese of Alba, July 12, 1897.

Orsola is the first born of Antonio Rivata and Lucia Alessandria. On July 13, 1897 she received her Baptism.

Her Mother Lucia died in 1903 in consequence of the birthing of her forth child. Orsola six years old, experienced the deepest suffering of her life. In 1904 her Father Antonio Rivata married Giuseppa Bertolotto.

Orsola attended kindergarten and she began her elementary school in 1903. She was honored with a medal (Castelli Carmela in Fresia + Guarene). She was an excellent student and enjoyed studying.

Orsola received her First Holy Communion in 1904 at the age of seven. At twelve years old she received the Sacrament of Confirmation on October 10, 1909. At the age of fifteen, she went to work in a Weaving Factory contributing financially to her family.

Later she became a domestic helper for two years with a family in Alba. At approximately at the age of twenty-two she was offered an opportunity for Marriage in this occasion from her heart she burst out "Lord, You Alone Are Enough For Me." From this moment forward she focused totally in the Lord, with daily Mass, Holy Communion, weekly Confession and Spiritual Readings.

She was an avid reader and spent a lot of time under the oil lamp during the night. Therefore, she was self taught in many areas of life.

She participated actively in the Parish Life, belonging to Catholic Action, Daughters of Mary, and The Company of St. Orsola. In her parish she was also participating in the Parochial Choir, she was gifted with a beautiful voice.

First and second encounter with Fr. James Alberione at the Bookstore then with kindness . he said: "A/hen are you coming to St. Paul?" "Do it soon!" On July 29, 1922 Antonio entrusts his daughter Orsola to her Spiritual Father James Alberione, thus joining the group of women in Formation for Religious Life. Upon entering the Chapel she heard in her heart an echo of "Lord, You Alone are Enough for Me." She also heard in her heart, "It is here that I want you."

When she entered, she joined the group of women recently constituted as The Daughters of St. Paul. The Eucharist became the focus of her life. The young women were not practicing Holy Communion every day. Upon realizing that, she said, "I came to the house of the Lord to be more united to Jesus. It is unthinkable that I should not have Holy Communion daily." Her request was gladly granted.

In her first months she is asked to attend to various activities in the household, even to bake bread for the entire community and to carry out errands in the city. In everything, she was seeking "what was pleasing to the Lord." Drawing from her encounters with the Eucharist strength and joy. The practice of mortification was already part of her life but now it increased especially with regards to food which was not the most appetizing for her. "This contributed to accustom myself not to grant satisfaction to my nature and training myself to live in the freedom of spirit."

One time a few months after her entrance, being in charge of the errands, she was asked to buy groviera cheese for the main meal of the seminarians. She approached the Superior Fr. Timothy Giaccardo for the necessary money, he answered her "go to the Chapel and pray the Chaplet to St. Joseph, then come back." "I prayed the Chaplet to St. Joseph and went back for the money but I was told to return to the Chapel for the second time and prayed the Chaplet to St. Joseph, I came back and asked for the money but I was told to return to the Chapel and pray the Chaplet to St. Joseph the third time, then I came back and asked for the money, then I was given the money. He gave me exactly what was needed to buy the cheese. "Do it fast he said, because they are all waiting for dinner." Divine Providence had arrived on time and Orsola realized how active was Divine Providence for those who were trusting with faith.

Upon entering in 1922 Fr. Alberione gave Orsola Rivata a book with the Title "The Women of the Gospel" a few days later Fr. Alberione asked her if she had concluded the reading of such book, later he explained, with that reading he intended to show her the Evangelical Mission of the Pious Disciples in following Jesus Master. Orsola felt intuitively from the Holy Spirit, that she was called to collaborate for great designs of God, while experiencing at the same time her extreme littleness and poverty.

November 21, 1923 James Alberione gathered the young women in the kitchen and said to them "put aside Orsola and Matilde for a mission that I will entrust to them." A reminder of the Acts of the Apostles 13:2 when the Holy Spirit said, "set aside Barnabas and Saul for a special Mission."

Then Maltilde, the companion of Orsola approached James Alberione asking, "and what shall we do?" his answer "you shall do silence, silence, silence." A single word repeated three times, qualifying in this way, the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master throughout time and place.

Christmas 1923, in the morning, James Alberione said to the whole group of the young women, "we have set aside Orsola and Maltilde to constitute a family dedicated to perennial praise of the Holy Eucharist in silence, recollection, reparation for sins committed with the bad press."

February 10, 1924 Feast of St. Scholastica. James Alberione gathered the first eight young women entrusting them to the leadership of Orsola who received the name of "Scholastica " meaning disciple. She becomes the Mother and the Spiritual Guide of this new foundation.

The characteristics of their new life was: a life hidden with Christ in God, prayer, perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, silence, sacrifice.

March 25, 1924 Rite of Religious Clothing and official beginning of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration: "the Divine Master is here and calls for you." (Jn.11: 28).

Mother Scholastica was taking her turn for Adoration with solicitude, her step which was usually agile and swift had a visible vitality, led by the desire for Him who was waiting for her. When Mother Scholastica was in her time of Adoration, she was visibly absorbed and immersed in the Contemplation of the Eucharistic Mystery. She was experiencing the real Presence of Jesus Master and she was completely detached from all that was surrounding her. When returning to her other duties she would habitually carry the effect of the encounter of the Disciple with the Divine Master, maintaining silence and the joy in the gift of self.

Nocturnal Adoration was more difficult and Mother Scholastica would feel exhausted from tiredness and all kinds of pains, but when arriving in front of the Eucharist everything would be lifted. Mother Scholastica testifies: "The Adoration was giving us the greatest joy and this joy could sustain the heavy work of the day. We had the sensation of passing through this earth without touching it."

In 1926 James Alberione called Mother Scholastica indicating to her Chapter 17 of the Gospel of John to be prayed at the conclusion of the two hours of Adoration.

"Mother Scholastica testifies that the day was filled with numerous fatigues and inconveniences good to discourage anyone, on the contrary, we had a profound intuition of the value of sacrifice, we were embracing it with good humor giving each other encouragement. When we would notice someone tired we would encourage her saying "courage the Love of God will pay everything and the beautiful Paradise awaits us."

Joyous Poverty - with the arrival of more boys in the seminary there was a need of beds, Alberione would ask Sr. Scholastica do you have two or more beds to lend me? She and the other Sisters would joyously deprive themselves of their own bed happy for the privilege of laying down upon the covered hay. Every renunciation was received with a festive spirit.

February 10, 1925 First Anniversary of Foundation. From eight Sisters they became twenty.

Following the direction of the Founder James Alberione, Sr. Scholastica understood that the Pious Disciples should always be a Religious Family distinguished by the Recollected Life being dedicated to the Eucharistic Adoration, to the Priestly and Liturgical Ministry. A Family totally belonging to Jesus Master present in the Eucharistic Mystery, why? So this Religious Family could be source of grace, and others more dedicated to a Apostolic Life, could draw from it.

March 25, 1927 the Pious Disciples reached 50.

The day of Mother Scholastica and of the Community begins at 4:30am, with a vigorous Benedicamus Domino to which the answer is "Deo Gratias." Upon rising everyone offered a kiss to the image of the Suffering Jesus in reparation of sins committed by the bad press. This act of devotion was one of the expressions of the specific mandate of the Sister Disciples to pray, to make reparation, to offer for the Pauline Apostolate of the Good Press. The day had its center on the Eucharistic Celebration followed by the Meditation and extended Adoration throughout the day and night called Perpetual Adoration.

Mother Scholastica was the most fervent inspirer for the Sisters to focus their minds and hearts upon Jesus on the Altar, thus not to miss any occasion of sacrifice which was lived by all with faith and joy. Her spirit was so contagious and persuasive. She coordinated all the tasks for the Sisters so beautifully and fruitfully, whether they were called to work in the kitchen, the vegetable garden, sewing room, bakery, sacristy, infirmary, all the household tasks for 500 seminarians and priests.

A Testitmony from a Sister; "above all Mother Scholastica was praying for us obtaining all the graces we needed and resolving all our problems through her prayer. It seems to me that she fulfilled in our midst what we say in our prayer, "Jesus Life, may my presence bring grace and consolation everywhere." Truly where there was Mother Scholastica the difficulties were a joy. We were very happy. There were no criticisms whatsoever in our midst. She animated us, that we competed with one another to gain more merits. Praying, smiling, singing dedicated self-giving was her lifestyle. Her spirit was dwelling at a higher level of consciousness, she would see and anticipate the ending line: Paradise, drawing everyone with her."

A direct Testimony of Mother Scholastica herself; "all in our community were experiencing the need for prayer and we all prayed with pleasure and spontaneity." "We could say that our day was intertwined with prayer, sacrifices, fatigues, work, songs, silence like a magnificent wreath of fragrant roses, violets and lilies. The angels were certainly offering them to the throne of God and the angels were returning to harvest from us other flowers and fruits." "How well we were experiencing the response of God through the numerous graces which were granted to each one of us! And we in the midst of so many ups and downs, we were exceedingly replenished with joy and consolation. Exactly like St. Paul said of himself, when going through trials and tribulations."

Mother Scholastica is like another Mary, epitomizing for the Sisters the ideal of the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master. In 1923 James Alberione placed in the hands of young Orsola a book regarding the Women of the Gospel. This reading had prepared Orsola to be like Mother Mary for the Priests and Brothers and Seminarians, the Pauline Apostles working for the Gospel. To be another Mary was the sublime ideal sustaining Mother Scholastica and her group in the fulfillment of their great Mission: to be Mothers of Priests. Mother Scholastica with the passing of years, rejoiced deeply in the depth of her soul this Motherhood shared with Mary's Divine Motherhood. She and her Sisters were reenacting in their life and Ministry the sweetness and confidence enjoyed by Jesus in the House of Bethany with Mary and Martha and Lazarus. This Divine Motherhood continues to be shared with Mary at the Foot of the Cross as well as when called to be Messengers of the Resurrection. Literally Mother Scholastica and the Sisters felt the experience of caring for the Person of the Divine Master and of His Apostles, when attending to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament attending to His Altar in the very Person of the Apostles of the Gospel the Pauline brothers and sisters. Thus sustaining from beginning to end the Life of a Priest.

Mother Scholastica was teaching the Sisters that the household where Priests and Seminarians were being formed and trained, were for the Sister Disciples the new Nazareth, the new Bethany, the new Cenacle.

In their time everything was done from scratch. Baking bread was the most evident example The following description is found in a photograph of those days: "From the kiln, to the multiplication of bread, to the Ciborium filled with Consecrated Hosts, then to the Eucharitic Adoration." Thus the Pious Disciple is immersed in the Mystery of her life that goes from Liturgy of Life, Sacramental Liturgy, to the Union with the Priesthood of Christ, to the Perpetual Adoration of Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament: Verbum Caro Factum Est, Verbum Panis Factum Est.

1930-1933, Numerous young women are joining the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master. A Testimony from one of the young women says: "Upon arriving I was suprised by the serenity and special atmosphere of peace exuding from everyone of the Sisters. I wanted to know the source of all of this. It was the Sun of the Eucharist filling up the heart and life of everyone. Usually it was Mother Scholastica receiving the newcomer, she had an habitual warmth in her demeanor, facilitating the adaptation to the new life. A unique sweet presence, helpful, smiling, a very amiable Mother. I imagined the Superior to be like those that I had known in the past elsewhere. Much to my amazement and surprise I could not identify the Superior among the Sisters when someone from the back came to embrace me, I felt all her goodness and serenity. I understood that I had found a new Mother."

The Charism takes more shape: "Go to my brothers and tell them ..."--John 20:17. This message of Jesus to Mary Magdalene indicates the third aspect of the Charism lived by Mother Scholastica and their companions. It is the announcement that the Lord is Risen. This is done especially through the Liturgical dimension. Mother Scholastica receives and gives away that fullness of Jesus in the Eucharist and Jesus living in the Church. She began the Liturgical aspect of the Charism following the Founder's guidance which is meant to manifest the Presence of Christ the Divine Master in the various cultures and nations and to draw all to the Infinite Beauty and Goodness of God.

1931-1935, Dark clouds are appearing in the sky, Mother Scholastica is removed by the Founder himself with no reasons that could justify it. It caused great suffering to the Sisters, each one had an intuition that this should only be a trial. In November 1936 Mother Scholastica left for Alexandria of Egypt with another Sister who was her Superior to have a Foundation in Alexandria, Egypt. Mother Scholastica finding herself in the midst of a Muslim population was transforming every desire into prayer for these brothers and sisters. There are many episodes wherein she was in the midst of the Muslims who were calling her the "good lady" and they were greeting her with respect. She continued to find her comfort and light with the Eucharistic Adoration. Her face habitually serene and smiling.

Her health suffered consequences due to the heat in Egypt, so Fr. Alberione called her back to Rome and reinstated her in her usual post as Mother and Spiritual Guide of the Sisters.

1939-46 Mother Scholastica established the Novitiate in a more regular way. To the new young women, she communicated her passionate love for the Eucharist. She has dedicated herself to implement the Arts at the service of the Liturgy. She singled out Sisters who would develop their talents for this purpose. She had a faith to the impossible. A Sister mentioned that Mother Scholastica had such a strong faith in the Word of God and of Fr. Alberione that the same faith was transfused to all of us. Another aspect that was developed to solidify the Congregation, was higher studies to obtain specializations in the areas of our Mission like Theology, Sacred Science, Fine Arts, Medicine, Architecture, Sculpture, Pottery. Mother Scholastica herself specialized with Statuary which were expressing her gentle sweetness, her spirit of faith and beauty.

June 11, 1940 the Second World War broke out in Italy, the Adoration never stopped day and night even in the refuge. No one considered herself in a more safe place than those who were before the Blessed Sacrament. Mother Scholastica whose body was rather small was containing the courage of a champion. Her faith could face any danger. She was experiencing the anxieties of those critical moments none- the- less, her charity was lived in every situation. In the state of emergency caused by the war, she sustained everyone with trust and strength of character.

External works are useful and necessary but Scholastica is aware that the source of stability, is the total offering of one's life to God. It is in this same period 1941 that Jesus Master begins to guide her towards the path of an offering that would profoundly mark the rest of her life. August 6, the day in which we contemplate Jesus directed towards His Hour, she writes: "Today, August 6, Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus, I offered my life for the Congregation of the Pious Disciples. I will accept everything the Lord wishes to send me for this purpose, in reparation for all my shortcomings and to obtain the grace to die in a perfect act of love for God. All of this with the assistance of Jesus and Mary."

1945 The Sisters have reached almost 400 in number and there are many communities throughout Italy and Europe. The Sisters need to have their own Rule of Life approved rather than relying only on oral tradition.

On July 9, 1945 the request for approval for The Sister Disciples is presented to the Holy Father, together with the Constitutions prepared by Fr. Alberione with the specific inspiration of Mother Scholastica.

Spring 1946. Those examining the paper work are perplexed since it is asked the recognition of the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master, juridically already Daughters of St. Paul, an Institute of Pontifical Rite. The request comes to be interpreted as an attempt at a split and the request is placed on file. Mother Scholastica perceives this, she feels personally responsible since the Founder James Alberione took an extended trip to visit the Communities in the North and South America. After having prayed and fasted, requesting the advice and prayer of her Sisters she decides to ascend the Vatican Hill to foster the cause of the Pious Disciples. She thinks that perhaps the Application Forms do not explain the situation well. Who better than she could clarify any doubts? From the beginning she had received the seed of life of the Pious Disciples, made it grow, protecting it in the midst of serious difficulties. Who could better explain this ? She is aware of her littleness, of her lack of understanding of Canon Law, of not possessing diplomatic skills, but she's confident that by manifesting the motives of her heart and life, the experts would know how to translate these unto Law. Her warm and passionate plea to heed the request of approval of the Pious Disciples does not make a good impression on the authorities at the Holy See. Her manner of speaking sounds like that of a person steering up division or rebellion...

For Mother Scholastica this is the beginning of a particular conformation with Christ in His Paschal Mystery. It is exactly at the time in which the Liturgy observes the Passion of the Lord. Mother Scholastica is forty-nine years of age in her journey of conformation with Christ she is like the mature head of grain: in order for life to continue, the seed must fall to the ground and die. (Jn.12:24).

April 15, 1946, Monday of Holy Week. In this day the Liturgy contemplates Mary anointing the feet of Jesus with aromatic nard at Bethany. It is also the day on which Mother Scholastica breaks her alabaster vase in accepting a disposition that deeply wounded her being. In fact, the Congregation for Religious removes her from her role of governing the Pious Disciples. She writes " ... when I was alone, in my soliloquy with the Lord, in the turmoil of my thoughts and the anguish that was breaking my heart, I offered all to the Lord out of Love. It was truly pure love pouring from a bleeding and almost agonizing heart, like that of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, I was accompanied by peace, serenity and hope. I accepted all and offered everything in thanksgiving to God, ready to whatever He willed, for the perseverence of the Pious Disciples in their Vocation.

Initially it seemed that the small flock of the Pious Disciples left without a leader would disband or become disoriented, but this was only for a short while. Mother Scholastics, transmitting what she received from the Founder, formed persons with a strong sense of identity and the little flock regrouped stronger than ever.

Mother Scholastica doesn't become depressed. She forgives and prays for those who brought this punishment upon her. Living in hope and surrender, she listens ever more attentively to the voice of her Master and Spouse. She feels for her suffering daughters, and when possible she continues to offer support through letters and words. Needing consolation herself she is the one to console others. She lives in a special silence which knows the ways of true communication without violating the terms imposed upon her. In the Footsteps of Mary Mother of Jesus the Disciple Scholastica shares the lot of her Master in His Hour of Trial and repeats: "Lord, You Alone Are My All." On Monday of Holy Week, 1946, Mother Scholastica accepts her exile as perfume to be poured upon the feet of the Master.

A year later, April 3, 1947 Holy Thursday, the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master are approved by the Church. Mother Scholastica would be the First to hurry with a luminous face at the feet of Mother Lucia Ricci the new Mother General, to pronounce the Formula of Profession: "according to the Constitutions of the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master." Finally, Mother Scholastica experiences the joy of the Woman who forgets her suffering once the New Life appears. (John 16:21).

Now the Congregation has everything in place to progress rapidly. Mother Scholastica leaves her native country to begin anew in Argentina, where she arrives on October 2, 1948. Argentina immediately becomes her second homeland. Her fervor, her love for the Congregation, her love for the many souls to be saved, is so contagious. And she's able to communicate this to all. She remains in Argentina fifteen years. She returns to Italy 1963, to Celebrate the Fortieth Anniversary of Foundation of the Congregation. At the request of Mother Lucia she is asked to write her memoirs. In Italy she lives as a Sister among Sisters without calling attention to herself. She prepares vestments, liturgical furnishings perfuming them with prayer. Her smile and her friendliness are penetrating and communicative like the sun which reaches all without expecting thanks, simply happy to provide life and warmth. She maintains a lively desire to keep informed with the happenings in society in order to bring these intentions to the Divine Master in Eucharistic Adoration.

1965, she lives the Season of Vatican II with joy and active participation perceiving it together with the Founder, as a Seal of the Holy Spirit upon the Congregation. In fact the First Document of the Council was on Sacred Liturgy. She continues to live her life in humility. From 1973 -1981 Mother Scholastica fosters a special relationship with the young women in Formation, through letters and dialogues. She continues to identify herself with the little ones in order to spread a good word or to warn them of dangers. She communicates with them and exhorts them on things not learned from books, but from her experience of life with Jesus. She always repeats" Only He Is My All." My only dream is to love Jesus, "My Only Love My All."

Nostalgia for Paradise

From 1981 onwards the parable of her earthly life gradually proceeds towards its conclusion. She manifests the desire to go to her beloved Spouse by whom she's greatly loved. Her constant recommendation "obtain merits.., become Saints" is nothing other than a practical way to follow the invitation of Jesus to accumulate treasures for the Kingdom of Heaven and to have no other treasure than Him." Mt 6:21, Luke 12:34.

On April 8, 1981, she meets John Paul II receiving from Him the "kiss reserved for the little ones." Then as her strength continues to decline, she is transferred to the house in Sanfre, where she would spend the last six years of her life. Even while the physical strength of Mother Scholastica declines the fire in her remains alive and continues to spread. From 1984 she is deprived with the ability to speak but, even without making a sound, she carries on lively nonverbal communications through her expressive gaze and hand movements.

March 24, 1987. It is significant that Mother Scholastica concluded her earthly life as a Disciple of the Divine Master on the same day, Vigil of the Feast of the Annunciation on which she with her companions, received her Religious Investiture March 24, 1924.

While the community sings the First Vespers, contemplating Mary's "Yes" the Disciple Scholastica pronounces her final "Yes" on earth, "ready and adorned to Celebrate the Eternal Wedding with the Divine Master, " of whom she use to say: "He comes and we, arm in arm enter the Heavenly Dance." (Testimony given by Sr. M. Adele Tozzi.)