St Catharine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr
Catharine was born at Alexandria. From youth she combined the study of the liberal arts with the ardour of faith. At the age of 18, she rebuked the Emperor Maximinus for tormenting the Christians. He assembled the most learned men, to bring her over to idolatry, but she succeeded in converting several of them.
Maximinus 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. After her death her body was carried by angels to mount Sinai. She is one of the 14 auxiliary saints. Christian philosophers honour her as their patroness.
Loquebar de testimoniis tuis in conspectu regum, et non confundebar: et meditabar in mandatis tuis, quae dilexi nimis. * Beati immaculati in via, qui ambulant in lege Domini.
I spoke of Thy testimonies before kings, and I was not ashamed: I meditated also on Thy commandments, which I loved. * Blessed are the undefiled in the way: who walk in the law of the Lord.
(Psalm 118:46-47,1 from the Introit of Mass)
Deus, qui dedísti legem Móysi in summitáte montis Sínai, et in eódem loco per sanctos Angelos tuos corpus beátae Catharínae Vírginis et Mártyris tuae mirabíliter collocásti: praesta, quaesumus; ut, ejus méritis et intercessióne, ad montem, qui Christus est, perveníre valeámus.
O God, who on the top of mount Sinai didst give the law to Moses, and in wondrous wise, by means of Thy holy angels didst place there the body of blessed Catharine, Thy virgin and martyr: grant that, through her merits and prayers, we may come to the true mountain which is Christ.
(Collect)
Catholic Encyclopaedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03445a.htm
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