Saint Catherine of Alexandria (c. 287-305) was a learned young noblewoman who, according to tradition, confounded fifty pagan philosophers by her wisdom and was martyred under the emperor Maxentius on a spiked wheel that broke at her touch, after which she was beheaded. One of the most venerated virgin martyrs, she is the patron of philosophers and students.

November 25

• philosophers
• students
• apologists

Canonized

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