"The illustrious Virgin, Catharine," says The Roman Breviary, "was born at Alexandria. Having, from youth, combined the study of the liberal arts with the ardour of Faith, she soon rose to high perfection, both in Doctrine and in Holiness, and, at the age of eighteen, she surpassed the most learned.
"She rebuked the Emperor Maximian for tormenting the Christians, and he, filled with admiration for her learning, assembled from all parts the most learned men, to bring her over from The Faith of Jesus to the worship of idols. The contrary happened, for several were converted to Christianity by the cogency of her arguments."
Maximian then ordered her to be scourged with rods and with whips weighted with lead. Then he had her tied to wheels armed with sharp swords. But the machine broke down and the tyrant caused her to be beheaded.
She died about 310 A.D.
Saint Catharine of Alexandria is one of the
FOURTEEN AUXILIARY SAINTSChristian philosophers, scholars, orators and lawyers honour her as their Patroness.
Mount Sinai, where the body of Saint Catharine was carried by Angels, is also the place where God's ministering Angels brought His Law to Moses.
Let us, with The Church, invoke the intercession of Saint Catharine, so that we may reach Jesus, The Law-Giver of our Souls (Collect).
Mass: Loquébar.
Portrait of Catharine of Alexandria.
Date: 16th-Century.
(Wikimedia Commons)
The following Text is taken from "The Liturgical Year", by Abbot Guéranger, O.S.B.
Book VI.
Volume 15.
Saint Gertrude The Great, from her very infancy, felt a special attraction towards the glorious Virgin, Saint Catharine. As she was desirous of knowing how great were her merits, Our Lord showed her Saint Catharine seated on a throne, so lofty and so magnificent, that it seemed her glory was sufficient to have filled The Courts of Heaven, had she been its sole Queen; while, from her Crown, a marvellous brightness was reflected on her devout clients [Legatus divinae pietatis, iv. 57].
It is well known how The Maid of Orleans (Saint Joan of Arc), entrusted by Saint Michael to the guidance of Saint Catharine and Saint Margaret, received aid and counsel from them during seven years; and how it was, at Sainte-Catherine-de-Fierbois, France, that she received her sword.
In the 12th-Century and the 13th-Century, the Crusaders of The West experienced the powerful assistance of The Alexandrian Martyr; and, on their return from The East, they introduced her cultus, which soon became extremely popular.
English: Catholic Church of Saint Catharine, Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Русский: Санкт-Петербург, Россия. Невский проспект.
Католическая церковь св. Екатерины.
Photo: 1 June 2012.
Source: Own work.
Author: A.Savin.
(Wikimedia Commons)
An Order of Knighthood was founded to protect the Pilgrims visiting her Holy Body on Mount Sinai. Her Feast was raised to the Rank of First-Class and, as observed, was a Holyday of Obligation by many Churches.
She was honoured as Patroness by Christian philosophers, scholars, orators, and attorneys. The Senior Advocate was called bastonier, because it was his privilege to carry her Banner, while Confraternities of young girls were formed under the invocation of Saint Catharine, whose Members vied with one another in their zeal for adorning her venerated image.
She was classed among The Helping Saints (Auxiliary Saints. There being Fourteen Auxiliary Saints), as being a Wise Counsellor; and was claimed as Patroness by various Associations, merely on account of their experience of her powerful intercession with Our Lord. Her betrothal with The Divine Child, and other scenes from her legend, furnished Christian art with many beautiful inspirations.
English: Cathedral of Saint Catharine (Se Cathedral), Goa, India.
Portuguese: Sé Catedral de Santa Catarina.
Konkani: Bhagevont Katerinachi Katedral.
Photo: 16 August 2012.
Source: Own work.
(Wikimedia Commons)
The Sé Catedral de Santa Catarina, known as Se Cathedral, is the Cathedral of The
Latin Rite Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, and The Seat of The
Patriarch of the East Indies.
Located in
Old Goa,
India, the largest Church in India is dedicated to Saint
Catharine of Alexandria. It is one of the oldest and most celebrated Religious Buildings in
Goa and is one of the largest Churches in
Asia.
The holy and learned Baronius regretted that, even in his day, the Acts of the Great Oriental Martyr (Saint Catharine) were open to discussion on certain points, which were eagerly seized upon by the extreme critics of the succeeding Centuries, in order to lessen popular devotion towards her.
There remains, however, this glory to Christian Virginity, that, in the person of Saint Catharine, it was honoured by pupils and masters and became the guiding spirit in the development of human thought during the Centuries, illustrated by such brilliant Suns of Learning as Albert the Great, Thomas Aquinas, and Bonaventure.
'Blessed are the Clean of Heart, for they shall see God.' Methodius, a Bishop and Martyr of the 3rd-Century, thus speaks in his 'Banquet of Virgins': 'The Virgin must have a very great love of sound Doctrine; and she ought to hold an honourable place among the wise.'
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