By Aaron Villegas Catherine was born around 287 AD in a noble family in Alexandria, Egypt. Being a noble, she was well educated and was an eager scholar.
At the age of 14, she experienced an amazing vision of Mary and the infant Jesus. Right then and there she decided to devote her life to God. Even though she was only 14, she was quite intelligent and gifted. During this time, an emperor named Maxentius persecuted Christians. Catherine straight up went to visit Maxentius to denounce and rebuke his cruelty against Christianity. When Catherine arrived, Maxentius did not execute her. Instead, he had 50 orators (a really good public speaker) and philosophers to debate with her. Catherine was filled with the Holy Spirit and defended her faith eloquently. Her words were so amazing that she converted most of the pagans to Christianity. Unfortunately, they were immediately executed. Catherine was then scourged and imprisoned but she was still steadfast with her faith. Word of her arrest and how strong her faith was quickly spread and around 200 people visited her. Even the emperor’s wife was converted just by the stories… she was also executed. Maxentius went into desperate measures and asked to marry Catherine but she said “I am married to Jesus Christ. My virginity is dedicated to Him.” Angered, Maxentius ordered for Catherine to be executed with a breaking wheel (The breaking wheel is an ancient form of torture where a person's limbs are threaded among the spokes and their bones are shattered by an executioner with a heavy rod. It is a brutal punishment that results in a slow and painful death, normally reserved for the worst criminals.) However, when she was presented to the wheel, a miracle happened and the wheel shattered into pieces Unable to torture her, she was beheaded instead. Some accounts say that angels brought her body to Mt. Sinai and someone built a monastery dedicated to her there. She is the patron saint of students, unmarried girls, and many others. Her feast day is November 25. St. Catherine, Pray for us!
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PulsePulse is our Jr High group (Grades 6-9) for those who want to be journeying to learn more about God and how He fits into this crazy thing called life! From Saint of the Day to talks to activities, we work to understand more about our faith and its importance in our everyday lives as we all work to become modern day saints. Categories
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