The Monastery of St. Scholastica was founded in 1934 in Civitella San Paolo on the territory and under the jurisdiction of the territorial abbot of St. Paul Outside the Walls, following the wishes of Cardinal Schuster.  His intent was to give new impetus to the Benedictine tradition. Alfredo Schuster, elected Abbot of St. Paul Outside the Walls in 1918, wanted to ask the nuns of the Abbey of Dourgne, in France for help with his project in Italy, but his elevation to Archbishop of Milan in 1929 interrupted his intention. However, his successor, the Abbot D. Ildebrando Vannucci was able to carry out his wishes. In 1932, he went to France where the abbess and founder of the convent of Dourgne, Mother Superior Maria Cronier, was ready to welcome and educate in her abbey the first aspiring members of the monastic life in Civitella. The new monastery also immediately found a benefactor, Sister Maria Angela Bonomi, a Clarissa nun, who dedicated a great part of her estate to build the convent in the memory of her father, Angelo Bonomi.  Land was bought near Civitella San Paolo and on 10th August 1932, Abbot D. Ildebrando Vannucci laid the cornerstone of the building. On 9th April 1934, when the building was ready, Mother Superior Maria Cronier lent several of her nuns to help the young nuns trained in Dourgne set up the convent, including Andrea Bonnafous, who was named Conventual Prioress of the Foundation and later Abbess.
The Convent Library
The convent had an emphasis on study and culture since its foundation, in a return to the ancient monastic tradition, so the accumulation of a library was undertaken, especially Biblical, monastic and theological spiritual literature. The library in a Benedictine monastery is the most important centre of life, following the church: books being considered the perfect instruments for moral and intellectual growth. The convent library counts approx. 20,000 volumes, divided into several wide ranging themes: Bible, Liturgy, Knowledge of the Father, Philosophy, History, Theology, Spirituality, Religious Life and Monasticism. 
There is also the Sofia Vanni Rovighi Foundation, donated by the eminent professor of the Catholic University of the Holy Heart which includes a substantial number of philosophical works, and the Martinelli Foundation, which includes antique books particularly about history and the history of Florence, as Martinelli came from a great Florentine family. There are also essential volumes for consultation and study in the various sections, as well as series, encyclopedias and magazines. 
The convent library is intended primarily for the nuns' Lectio Divina or Holy Reading which has an essential role in the Benedictine Rule, occupying an important place in monastic life and spirituality. The nuns are also occupied with studies of theology and religious sciences in order to have a more complete Christian and human education. Several of the nuns undertake research and translation, thereby contributing to the economic well being of the convent. The library can also be used – with the necessary garantees – by guests of the convent and also by those interested, especially young people from local towns who ask for help with their studies.

Galleria fotografica