Saint Catherine of Alexandria

This stained-glass window is in the right front from the altar. It shows St. Catherine holding a wheel with spikes and a feather pen.

 St. Catherine is believed to have been born in Alexandria of a noble family in the 3rd century. Converted to Christianity through a vision, she was learned in science and oratory. She offered to debate the pagan philosophers, and many were converted. She denounced Maxtenius for persecuting Christians. Fifty of her converts were then burned to death by Maxtenius.

Maxtenius offered Catherine a royal marriage if she would deny the faith. When she refused, he had her scourged and put in prison. While in prison, and while Maxtenius was away. Catherine converted Maxtenius’s wife and two hundred of his soldiers. He had them all put to death.

St. Catherine was likewise condemned to death. She was put on a spiked wheel, and when she touched it the wheel broke. So, she was beheaded. St. Catherine was one of the divine advisors to St. Joan of Arc.