St. Catherine was a king's daughter of high intelligence and radiant beauty. In Alexandria (Egypt) she bravely refused the sacrifice in honour of false gods ordered by the emperor. She easily managed to be victorious discussing with 50 paganian philosophers commanded by the emperor. On the opposite: She converted them to Christianism. The emperor delivered her to the funeral pile. Catherine was sent to prison tortured and bound on a wheel. It broke and so she was executed with a sword. According to a legend angels carried her soul to the Sinai Mountain where later on Emperor Justinian's ordered a convent to be built.
The sanctuary of St. Catherine is the most important one made of stone to worship her. Her veneration started already early in the East, later in the West. Centres of her veneration were the Benedictine convents Monte Cassino and St. Gallen. About 1000 precious relics came to Rouen (France). Especially the crusaders propagated her veneration. In 13th and 14th century many guilds elected her as their patron. In 15th century she was counted the helpers as St. Barbara and St. Margaret, the three saint virgins. Together with St. Dorothy they were called the "virgines capitales". Universities as Paris, Heidelberg, Wittenberg and Tuebingen have her picture in their seals. Many who feel tortured regard her as their powerful patron.
| Name: | in Greek: Aikatharine, the absolute pure |
| Day of Commemoration: | November 25th |
| Native Place: | Alexandria (Egypt) |
| Year of Death: | 10 (beheaded) |
| Distinguishing Feature: | crown, book, sword, (broken) wheel |
| Particular Patronage: | teachers, philosophers, theologians, lawyers, notaries, scientists, politicians, printers, hairdressers, carters, millers, rope makers, potters, cartwrights, shoemakers, spinning women, hospitals, helper in many sorrows. |
Prayer:St. Catherine, help us to understand that the humble devotion to the will of God can be more important than all research and knowledge in this world. Help us to discern always the truth in the midst of various dangers of our time. Help us to serve God by a convincing life carried by faith and loyalty.
