St. Catherine of Alexandria
On The Grapevine 42
St. Catherine of Alexandria, born in the fourth century to a noble family, was well known and highly distinguished for her intelligence and her mastery of philosophy and science. She converted to Christianity after experiencing a vision and vowed to have one spouse - Jesus. Then, bold as brass, she went straight to the top to try to convert Emperor Maxentius and to denounce him for persecuting Christians. He convoked a group of great pagan minds to show her the error of Christianity. Instead she converted them. Furious, the emperor had them executed.
However he was still impressed with Catherine. He offered her a royal marriage if she'd deny her faith, but she refused him. He put her in prison, and while he was gone, she converted his wife and 200 of his soldiers. He ordered their execution. He also ordered that Catherine be torn apart on a torture rack - but it fell apart. Then he ordered that she be torn apart on a spiked wheel, but it also fell to pieces. Finally, he had her beheaded.
St. Catherine of Alexandria is the patron saint of intellectuals, philosophers, schoolchildren, professions involving wheels, and spinsters. She also is one of the saints who spoke to St. Joan of Arc. You can read more about her HERE.
- Meagan
However he was still impressed with Catherine. He offered her a royal marriage if she'd deny her faith, but she refused him. He put her in prison, and while he was gone, she converted his wife and 200 of his soldiers. He ordered their execution. He also ordered that Catherine be torn apart on a torture rack - but it fell apart. Then he ordered that she be torn apart on a spiked wheel, but it also fell to pieces. Finally, he had her beheaded.
St. Catherine of Alexandria is the patron saint of intellectuals, philosophers, schoolchildren, professions involving wheels, and spinsters. She also is one of the saints who spoke to St. Joan of Arc. You can read more about her HERE.
- Meagan
Prayer to St. Catherine of Alexandria
Glorious St. Catherine, virgin and martyr,
help me to imitate your love of purity.
Give me strength and courage
in fighting off the temptations of the world and evil desires.
Help me to love God with my whole heart
and serve Him faithfully.
O St. Catherine,
through your glorious martrydom for the love of Christ,
help me to be loyal to my faith and my God as long as I live.
Amen.
help me to imitate your love of purity.
Give me strength and courage
in fighting off the temptations of the world and evil desires.
Help me to love God with my whole heart
and serve Him faithfully.
O St. Catherine,
through your glorious martrydom for the love of Christ,
help me to be loyal to my faith and my God as long as I live.
Amen.