Catherine of Alexandria
d. early 4th century (traditional)
Feast: November 25
Patroness of: Philosophers · Students · Universities · Libraries
You do not back away from a fight over the truth, you take it on, with a clear head and no fear of the odds. That is how tradition tells the story of Catherine: a young, learned woman of Alexandria who stands alone before the emperor. Maxentius sends fifty philosophers to refute her, she out-argues them all, and according to the legend, every one of them converts. Her martyrdom on the wheel, so tradition says, gives the "Catherine wheel" its name to this day. The Church counts her among the Fourteen Holy Helpers, the Middle Ages honor her as the patroness of thinkers, and centuries later, Joan of Arc names her as one of her voices. So the question for you: would you stand for the truth with fifty against you?
From her life
- learned virgin of Alexandria, the entire vita is legendary
- disputation with the philosophers of Maxentius, according to tradition
- martyrdom on the wheel (the "Catherine wheel"), according to tradition
- one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers
- Joan of Arc named her as one of her voices
The bridge to tradition
Holy Helper and patroness of thinkers, her cult shaped the entire Middle Ages and belongs to the core of traditional piety.