Mother Scholastica: Symphony Of Joy

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

As I have reflected and read and recalled my experience with Mother Scholastica, it seems that I could present her life as a "Symphony of Joy".

I see God in the orchestra playing all the instruments in the life of Mother Scholastica's Symphony of Joy. Her life could be described as the Joy of Being, The Joy of the Gift of Self, The Joy in Suffering, The Joy in Silence, The Eucharistic Ecstatic Joy, the Nostalgic Joy of Waiting to be Fully One with her God in the Beatific Vision of Eternal Life.

The Joy of Being Orsola, her Baptismal name, as a girl and as a youth is already such a pleasant being shining naturally: harmony and joy.

She is a graceful young lady with bright chestnut brown hair, slightly wavy, gathered in a ponytail or flowing gracefully on her young shoulders, and of rosy complexion, delicate with a round and pleasant face, from which two hazel eyes shone like golden beads, with an intelligent and expressive appearance. Her character is rich in enthusiasm, fiery, even with some impulsiveness which was soon mastered and overcome.

One of her unique virtues, surely a mark of Christ's election was: to mean what she says, to love without dissimulation, to think no evil, to bear no grudge, to be free from selfishness, to be innocent and straightforward.

The purity of innocence is a natural virtue that she preserved all of her life. She is graceful in her walk and her actions, always dressed with a touch of good taste and elegance, sought after and loved.

Her zeal and initiative distinguished her from her age group so much that she was nick-named in the village: the girl bursting with life. She was fascinating.

Her gentle influence drew boys and girls to join her in parish activities. She was gifted with a beautiful voice which she used to praise the Lord above all in Church.

She also sang with her young friends while working and playing. She had a delicate sensitivity grasping the value of beauty in the Liturgy and delighting in it both herself and drawing others to praise God and give Him due worship.

To this joy of being has contributed, the environment of her birth. The hilly surrounding areas covered with vineyards, orchards and fields of wheat, all disposed like a well ordered beautiful and peaceful garden, leaves her with an ecological interest and impacts the rest of her life. She prays : "Lord, you provide everything for me, the beauty of nature and all of creation for my enjoyment: flowers with their perfume, exquisite fruits, air, water, bread, all that refreshes, comforts, relieves, everything is the work of your Divine Providence..." Orsola grows in the atmosphere of nature and grace.

To her joy of being has contributed, her spiritual life. The first meeting with Jesus Host was the great occasion in which young Orsola was infused with a new spiritual impetus setting her on the right path of life. Holy Communion was frequent and then daily in her teenage years which became the center of her life. The Sacred Host held a strong attraction for her soul. It was a source of strength for the pure young woman. And it was light and guidance in the choice of her Vocation.

Holy Readings contributed to her joy of being in her relationship with the Lord. Like "The Practice of Loving Jesus Christ," helped her very much and the "Story of a Soul."

The joy of being was not obscured by the deep sorrow experienced at the age of six with the tragic loss of her mother Lucia. With the simplicity and strength of childhood she turned to the statue of Our Lady and as her mother taught her, she felt the instinctive need to pray to the Mother of Jesus.

She grew in the School of Sorrow, gradually maturing, learning to face the difficulties of life yet remaining, sensitive, intelligent, lively and energetic.

She comes to experience God deeply in her young womanhood. Her Father wise and concerned for his daughter's future, closely observed her suitors and decided to offer Orsola a well thought out and serious proposition. "Andrea is asking me for your hand. He is a fine young man, financially well off. Think about him. You would be happy with him."

The young woman bowed her head and asked to consider it. She did it before the Lord, appealing for the light and strength which comes from above, and then firm and serene she told her Father of her pondered refusal. At the proposal of marriage she was impelled to respond to the privilege of being totally of God.

When after the Holy Mass she came to her room and in front of the Statue of the Sacred Heart with all the strength of her being she said: "Lord, You Alone Are My All." She was interiorly wrapped by an extraordinary supernatural light. The Holy Spirit marked her life profoundly and set her soul in an ascensional direction towards that divine project that the Lord set out for her. Her decisive and spontaneous response repeated the same words of St. Therese of Avila with whom Orsola felt an affinity of thoughts, gifts and desires.

Surely such words which overflowed from her pure heart became the direct link that kept her in touch with the supernatural. It constituted a conversion from an already good life to an ascetical and mystical journey, enriched by a continuous correspondence to grace. Orsola says, from that moment, I felt renewed energy in my work, I prayed more intensely, I never tired of mortifications. Holy Mass, Holy Communion were daily practices and confession was weekly. Her "Lord, You Alone Are My All" was like the Fiat of Mary embraced with a total submission to the Will of God who guided her to an unknown path where she would carry out His divine plan. This response includes the secret of her holiness sought throughout her life. Holiness became for Orsola a hunger, and a thirst, which God satisfied in good measure and flowing over. (Luke 6:38).

If we were to peek into the secret of her innermost being we would discover the Bride of God the Heavenly Jerusalem, descending from Heaven as a gift to the Church and to Humanity. She is enamored with God her Spouse to whom she says joyfully, 0 God, You are My God, for you my soul is thirsting." She gazes upon God and longs to spend her days in the Holy Sanctuary where she could experience the strength and the glory of God. She savors the love of God which is better than life. In her interior being she grasped the meaning of her life which will be given to God for the purpose of Celebrating His praises and being an Intercessor like Abraham and Moses. Her soul anticipates the Banquet that the Lord will spread before His Bride for the Wedding Feast. And she can proclaim "my soul clings to you my Lord," while your right hand holds me fast. Then standing, I will lift up my hand to bless you all my life. (Ps.63). How would this enamored young woman look like, at the height of this mystical experience? The radiance of her countenance and her demeanor could be compared to a pure large white rose which is wide open velvety and fragrant and so it could also be compared to a red rose expressing the vehement burning bush, and the yellow rose symbolizing her Adoration to the Holy Eucharist for which she has been especially chosen and set apart by the Holy Priest James Alberione.