APPARITION OF OUR LADY TO SAINT CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA (4TH CENTURY)

THE VISION OF THE MYSTICAL MARRIAGE BETWEEN SAINT CATHERINE AND OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST 

According to the good Abbot Orsini: "Saint Catherine of Alexandria's body was discovered on the May13, on Mount Sinai, as a result of the apparition of Our Lady Queen of Heaven she had received.”

Saint Catherine of Alexandria, who is also known as Saint Catherine of the Wheel - a Catholic saint, virgin, and martyr. The beautiful daughter of King Costus and Queen Sabinella of Alexandria, who at a young age decided to remain a virgin until and unless she should meet someone who surpass her in status, political position, as well as beauty, intelligence, and wealth. She found no one but Christ, who exceeds all of us in beauty, wisdom, and His riches spreads throughout the world.

While still a teenager, Saint Catherine saw a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Her Divine Son Jesus Christ. In this vision, the Mother of God gave Catherine to her Son in a mystical marriage. Mystical marriages in some senses are very similar to a marriage ceremony, as Christ presents the chosen soul with a ring that is often visible to others, and often there are saint and angels present.

There have been well over 70 documented mystical marriages with saints, and although the action is mysterious and not well understood, it appears that Christ gives special attention to these saints. Saint Teresa explained that it was the highest state a soul could achieve in this life, and represents a transforming and constant union with the Blessed Trinity.

Saint Catherine was martyred by the Roman Emperor Maxentius when she refused his marriage proposal. Again, according to tradition, her body was taken by angels to Mount Sinai where a church and monastery were built in her honour. Saint Catherine’s relics were rediscovered about the year 800, and it was said that her hair was still growing and that there was a continuous stream of oil coming from her body that was found to have miraculous healing properties. King Saint Edward was said to have collected some of that oil and taken it back to his kingdom with him.

Saint Catherine, along with Saint Margaret, were the two saints who spoke to encourage Saint Joan of Arc in her mission.