Nothing Can Stop Her!

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr. Catherine lived in early Christian times. She was the daughter of a wealthy pagan couple of Alexandria, Egypt. She was a very beautiful girl whose great interest was in learning. Catherine loved to study deep questions of philosophy and religion. One day she began to read about Christianity. Soon she became a Christian.

St. Catherine was only eighteen when Emperor Maxentius began persecuting the Christians. Fearlessly, the lovely, young Christian woman went to tell him what she thought of his cruelty. When he spoke of the pagan gods, she very plainly showed him that they were false. Maxentius could not answer her arguments. Therefore, he sent for fifty of his best pagan philosophers. Once again, it was Catherine who proved the truth of her religion. All fifty philosophers were convinced that she was right. In a great fury, Maxentius had every one of them killed. Next, he tried to win her by offering her a queen’s crown. When Catherine absolutely refused it, he had her beaten and thrown into prison.

While Maxentius was away at camp, his wife and an officer were very curious to hear this amazing Christian girl speak. They went to her cell. The result was that they and 200 soldiers of the guard were converted. For this, they were all put to death. Catherine herself was placed on a wheel full of spikes to be tortured to death. When the wheel began to spin, it mysteriously snapped in two and fell apart. Finally, St. Catherine was beheaded. She is honored as the patroness of Christian philosophers. (iMissal, Saint A Day)

St. Catherine of Alexandria appreciated the beauty of her Christian beliefs. That’s why she could so effectively convince others. We can ask St. Catherine to help us grow in love for the truths of our faith as she did.

What are some concrete ways that I can give witness to Christ at where I am now?

Almighty ever-living God, who gave Saint Catherine of Alexandria to your people as a Virgin and an invincible Martyr, grant that through her intercession we may be strengthened in faith and constancy and spend ourselves without reserve for the unity of the Church. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son. who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. (Collect Prayer)

Hail Mary full of grace…

Peace in Christ,
Father Vincent-Vuong Nguyen

P.S.
Please join us THANKSGIVING DAY MASS at 9:00 am. We have so sooo much to be thankful for! Consider bringing the bread and/or wine that you will serve at your Thanksgiving meal to be blessed during Mass.