🕊️Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a virgin and martyr who flourished in the early 4th century, dying around the year 305, is one of the most venerated saints of Christian antiquity. Born into nobility and endowed with exceptional intelligence and erudition, Catherine dedicated her chastity to Christ, rejecting earthly marriage proposals in favor of her celestial Spouse. Facing the persecution of Emperor Maxentius, she not only fearlessly confessed her faith but, with eloquence and wisdom inspired by the Holy Spirit, debated and converted fifty pagan philosophers charged with dissuading her, all of whom were martyred before her. Condemned to the torture of the spiked wheel, the instrument miraculously shattered at her touch, sparing her from that cruel death but leading her finally to martyrdom by beheading. Tradition narrates that her body was transported by angels to Mount Sinai, where a monastery stands in her honor, perpetuating the testimony of a life where human science bowed humbly before Divine Wisdom.
📜Epistle (Ecclus 51, 1-8 and 12)
I will give glory to thee, O Lord, O King, and I will praise thee, O God my Saviour. I will give glory to thy name: for thou hast been a helper and protector to me. And hast preserved my body from destruction, from the snare of an unjust tongue, and from the lips of them that forge lies, and in the sight of them that stood by, thou hast been my helper. And thou hast delivered me, according to the multitude of the mercy of thy name, from them that did roar, prepared to devour. Out of the hands of them that sought my life, and from the gates of afflictions, which compassed me about: from the oppression of the flame which surrounded me, and in the midst of the fire I was not burnt. From the depth of the belly of hell, and from an unclean tongue, and from lying words, from an unjust king, and from a slanderous tongue. My soul shall praise the Lord even to death. Because thou deliverest them that wait on thee, and savest them out of the hands of the nations, O Lord our God.
✠Gospel (Mt 25, 1-13)
At that time, Jesus spoke to his disciples this parable: The kingdom of heaven shall be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride. And five of them were foolish, and five wise. But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps. And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him. Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise: Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. The wise answered, saying: Lest perhaps there be not enough for us and for you, go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. Now whilst they went to buy, the bridegroom came: and they that were ready, went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut. But at last come also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answering said: Amen I say to you, I know you not. Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour.
💭Reflections
🕯️The celebration of Saint Catherine harmonizes perfectly with the parable of the ten virgins, for in it we contemplate the personification of Christian prudence that unites bodily purity with spiritual wisdom. While the pagan philosophy of Alexandria sought truth groping in the darkness, Catherine found in the Incarnate Word the fullness of Wisdom, demonstrating that true intelligence opposes not faith, but is elevated by it. The oil that the wise virgins carry in their vessels symbolizes charity and the good conscience that feed the flame of faith; it is not enough to carry the lamp of outward Christian profession, it is necessary to possess the inner fire of divine love that endures the Bridegroom's delay and the trials of the world. (St. Augustine, Sermon 93).
🔥The martyrdom of Saint Catherine illustrates the supernatural courage that springs from this reserve of spiritual oil, allowing her to face tyrants and torture wheels with unshakable serenity. The Epistle of the day, taken from the Book of Wisdom (Ecclesiasticus), echoes the praise of the soul which, surrounded by the "unjust tongue" and the "unjust king," trusts entirely in divine protection, knowing that the Lord delivers those who wait for Him. This trust is not passivity, but an active fortitude, for the martyr is one who witnesses to the truth to the end, preferring temporal death to the loss of eternal life, teaching us that the prudence of the world is foolishness before God, while the foolishness of the Cross is true wisdom. (St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, II-II, q. 124).
🚪The conclusion of the evangelical parable imposes upon us a sober meditation on the final judgment and the irrevocability of divine time. The cry at midnight and the shut door remind us that grace has its opportune time and must not be wasted on worldly distractions or spiritual procrastination. The Bridegroom's response, "I know you not," is directed at those who, although having the appearance of piety, lacked the substance of works of mercy and real union with God. May the example of the Virgin of Alexandria inspire us to keep our lamps stocked with the oil of sanctifying grace, watching perpetually, so that we may enter with Christ into the eternal wedding feast. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2612; St. Teresa of Avila, Interior Castle, First Mansions).
🇺🇸See English version of the critical articles here
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