Saint Catherine of Alexandria
Virgin, Martyr
(Around 287 – Around 305)

Saint’s Life Story

Her Early Life

Catherine, also known as Katherine, was born around 287 in Alexandria, Egypt. It should be noted that much of St Catherine’s history is regarded as apocryphal (by historians). According to the traditional narrative, Catherine was the daughter of Sabinella and Constus (or Costus), the governor of Alexandria during the reign of the Emperor Maxentius (or Maximinus). Since she is believed to have been from a noble family, Catherine received an excellent education, excelling in philosophy, rhetoric, and theology. Catherine possessed of a rare beauty and intellect.

Young men from the most worthy families of the empire sought the hand of the beautiful Catherine, but she was not interested in any of them. She told her parents that she would enter into marriage only with someone who surpassed her in nobility, wealth, comeliness and wisdom.

Christian Convert

Both of Catherine’s parents were pagans. However, after praying all night, Catherine had a vision of the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus that persuaded her to become a Christian. In this vision, Catherine found the One whose countenance is more radiant than the shining of the sun, and all of creation is governed by His wisdom. After this, she dedicated her life to Christ.

Teenager Debater

At that time, Emperor Maxentius was in Alexandria for a pagan festival. The bustling crowds at the arenas defiled the city of Alexandria with the smoke and the smell of the animal sacrifices. Human victims also were brought, the confessors of Christ, who would not deny Him under torture. They were condemned to death in the fire. Catherine’s love for the Christian martyrs and her fervent desire to ease their sufferings, compelled her to speak to the pagan priest and to Emperor Maxentius. Catherine bravely confronted him, urging him to stop. She confessed her faith in the One True God and exposed the errors of the pagans.

Instead of executing her immediately, Emperor Maxentius brought in fifty of the most learned pagan philosophers and rhetoricians to debate with her, hoping they would convince her to abandon her faith. However, Catherine defeated them in argument. Catherine made the Sign of the Cross over these new converts as they bravely accepted death for Christ and were burnt alive by Emperor Maxentius’ order.

Imprisoned and Tortured

Furious, Emperor Maxentius ordered that Catherine be scourged, tortured and then thrown into prison. Her legend tells that during the confinement Catherine was fed daily by a dove from heaven, In addition, Christ also visited her, encouraging her to fight bravely with the promise of her the crown of everlasting glory.

During Catherine’s imprisonment more than 200 people came to see her, including Maxentius’ wife, Valeria Maximilla. All who heard her were converted to Christianity and later martyred.

Upon the failure of Emperor Maxentius to make Catherine yield by way of torture, he tried to win her over by proposing marriage. Catherine refused, declaring that her spouse was Jesus Christ, to whom she had consecrated her virginity.

Breaking Wheel

Then Emperor Maxentius sentenced Catherine to death by a large breaking wheel (a spiked torture device) with sharp blades set into the outside rim. Then, Catherine was to be tied around this edge and the blades were intended to cut her to pieces as the wheel was rolled along. However, when Catherine touched the wheel, it miraculously shattered and the blades flew off in all directions. (Note: The pyrotechnic Catherine wheel, from which sparks fly off in all directions, took its name from the saint’s wheel of martyrdom.)

Her Death

So, Emperor Maxentius ordered her to be beheaded. Around the year 305 in Alexandria, Egypt, Catherine ordered the execution to commence. She walked with a great calm. Before dying Catherine said this prayer:

“Lord Jesus Christ, my God, I thank Thee for having firmly set my feet on the rock of the Faith and directed my steps on the pathway of salvation. Open now Thy arms wounded on the cross to receive my soul, which I offer in sacrifice to the glory of Thy Name. Forgive the faults I committed in ignorance and wash my soul in the blood I will shed for Thee. Do not leave my body, slaughtered by love for Thee, in the power of those who hate me. Kindly regard this people and give them the knowledge of the truth. Finally, O Lord, in Thy infinite mercy exalt those who will invoke Thee through me so that Thy name be always glorified.”

Her body is believed to have been miraculously transported by angels to Mount Sinai. In 850, her incorrupt body was discovered by monks from the Sinai Monastery, where the Monastery of St. Catherine now stands. She has remained one of the most venerated early Christian martyrs, and her cult spread widely in both the Eastern and Western Churches.

Saint Catherine was one of the voices heard by Saint Joan of Arc, guiding her in her mission.

Ranked with Saint Margaret of Antioch and Saint Barbara as one of the fourteen helpers (that group of saints notable for answering prayers especially for cures from disease and at the hour of death) Saint Catherine was unceasingly praised by preachers and sung by poets. She is honored in both the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions.

Born:                  Around 287 in Alexandria, Egypt

Died:                  Around 305 in Alexandria, Egypt

Beatified:          Pre-Congregation

Canonized:       Pre-Congregation

Feast Day:        November 25

Patron Saint:    Apologists; Craftsmen Who Work With a Wheel; Diocese of Saint Catharines, Ontario; Dying People; Educators; Girls; Lawyers; Maidens; Philosophers; Potters; Scholars; Spinners; Students; Theologians; University of Paris; Unmarried Girls; Wheelwrights

Source:

• • St. Catherine of Alexandria – Martyr and Patron of Scholars – All Saint Stories
  • Saint of the Day – 25 November – St Catherine of Alexandria (Died c 305) – AnaStpaul
  • CatholicSaints.Info » Saint Catherine of Alexandria
  • Great Martyr Katherine of Alexandria – Orthodox Church in America
  • St. Catherine of Alexandria, Saint of November 25 by Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira
  • Catherine of Alexandria – Wikipedia

Prayers

Video Link

Cradio Saint of the Day: Saint Catherine of Alexandria – YouTube (CatholicSaints.Info)