Saint of the day for November 25: story of Saint Catherine of Alexandria

Saint of the day for November 25
(a.c. 310)

History of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria

According to the legend of Saint Catherine, this young woman converted to Christianity after receiving a vision. At the age of 18, he discussed 50 pagan philosophers. Amazed by his wisdom and capacity for debate, they became Christians, as did some 200 soldiers and members of the emperor's family. All of them were martyred.

Sentenced to be executed on a spiked wheel, Catherine touched the wheel and it shattered. She was beheaded. Centuries later, angels are said to have carried the body of Saint Catherine to a monastery at the foot of the mountain. Sinai.

Devotion to her spread following the Crusades. She has been invoked as the patroness of students, teachers, librarians and lawyers. Catherine is one of the 14 Auxiliary Saints, venerated above all in Germany and Hungary.

Reflection

The search for God's wisdom may not lead to worldly riches or honors. In Catherine's case, this research contributed to her martyrdom. She was not, however, foolish in preferring to die for Jesus rather than just living in denial. All the rewards her tormentors offered her would rust, lose their beauty, or somehow become a miserable exchange for Catherine's honesty and integrity in following Jesus Christ.