If your name happens to be Catherine (or Katherine or Cate or Katy or even Katharine -- like a certain Presiding Bishop of a certain mainline denomination) this is your day. No matter which Catherine emerges victorious -- of Alexandria or of Siena -- you win! Of course after 24 hours one Catherine will be discarded onto the Lent Madness heap of irrelevance. But that's okay because this is your special day!
In yesterday's action, Lydia defeated Moses the Black 60% to 40% and will advance to face the winner of Nicholas Ridley vs. John of the Cross.
And if for some (inexcusable) reason, you missed yesterday's edition of Monday Madness with Tim and Scott, you can watch it here. Basically we DVR it for you so you can watch in peace without pesky commercial interruptions for saintly products like St. John's Wort or Yves Saint Laurent.
Catherine of Alexandria
Many legends surround the life and death of Catherine of Alexandria. Tradition tells us Catherine was born at the end of the third century to Roman rulers in Alexandria, Egypt. An incredibly beautiful and intelligent woman, with every privilege at her disposal, Catherine excelled in her studies and developed renown for her ability in the arts and sciences, especially philosophy. As a young woman, she converted to Christianity after a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary giving her in mystical marriage to Christ.
Some years later, during the persecution under the Roman Emperor Maxentius, Catherine scolded the vicious ruler for killing Christians and for his own idolatry. In response Maxentius gathered together fifty philosophers to engage her in debate. Impressed by her erudition and the force of her arguments, the philosophers converted to Christianity and were summarily burned alive by the humiliated despot. Maxentius jailed Catherine for her insolence. While she was in jail, Maxentius offered to release Catherine if she would marry him. She refused, claiming that she was married to Christ. Later, Catherine converted many in his household, including his wife. The furious hegemon executed his wife and 200 servants and condemned Catherine to death.
The executioners put her to the spiked wheel, but at her touch the wheel shattered and instead killed many of her assailants. Maxentius commanded his soldiers to behead Catherine. When the blade sliced through her neck, milk, not blood, flowed. Legend has it that her body was taken by angels to the Sacred and Imperial Monastery of the God-Trodden Mount of Sinai, which today is commonly referred to as Saint Catherine’s Monastery. Perhaps not coincidentally, this is the same monastery that until the late nineteenth century housed one of the oldest, complete manuscripts of the Bible, the Codex Sinaiticus.
Saint Catherine of the Wheel, as she is sometimes called, was for centuries an important saint in popular piety. She appeared to Joan of Arc, who believed Catherine had been appointed as her advisor. Today she is seen as a patroness to philosophers, girls, librarians, and ironically, people who work with wheels (such as potters, spinners, and mechanics).
Collect for Catherine of Alexandria
O God, by your Holy Spirit you give to some the word of wisdom, to others the word of knowledge, and to others the word of faith: We praise your Name for the gifts of grace manifested in your servant Catherine, and we pray that your Church may never be destitute of such gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
-- David Creech
Catherine of Siena
Catherine of Siena is one of the foremost mystics, reformers, and politicians of all saintly history. Born Caterina di Giacomo di Benincasa on March 25, 1347, she was five or six years old when she had her first vision and seven when she vowed to give her life to Christ.
But before she could take any vows, her older sister, Bonaventura, died in childbirth, and her parents wanted her to marry the widower. Catherine said no. She stopped eating and chopped off her hair (in order to thwart her mother’s wishes that she look attractive in order to catch a husband). Successfully staving off marriage, Catherine basically formed a one-woman Dominican order, living an active, prayerful life devoted to quiet service to the poor, while still living with her family.
This irritated her parents, but Catherine was immovable, especially after receiving an encouraging vision from Saint Dominic. Eventually, she prevailed on her parents to let her join a tertiary order of the Dominicans; she remained in quiet contemplation and service to the local community until she was about 21.
Then, there was a turning point. Catherine had a vision of a “mystical marriage” to Christ, and an overpowering sense of God’s love and closeness to all creation. This vision compelled her to join public life and leave her life of solitude.
No longer content to live quietly at home, Catherine became more involved in aiding people, not just through charity but through politics and advocacy. She gained a reputation for wisdom, fairness, and mercy, and her opinion was widely sought. She travelled around northern Italy, advocating for clerical reform and renewal of the church in every place, asking that people themselves, as well as the institution, renew the Body of Christ through the “total love of God.” She organized against the anti-pope—an illegitimately elected rival pope. Catherine urged Pope Gregory XI not to give in to schism but to move the papacy back to Rome from Avignon. She badgered Gregory with letters until he eventually gave in. We might say the squeaky wheel gets the grease, if this didn’t appear to be an endorsement of Catherine of Alexandria.
Pope Gregory XI came to rely on Catherine so much that he sent her as a peace emissary to the warring states of Florence and Rome. Gregory unexpectedly died soon after Catherine arrived in Rome, and riots broke out. In the ensuing chaos, Catherine was nearly assassinated. But she was undeterred and achieved a peace deal a few months later.
The new Roman pope was a fan as well, and Urban VI soon brought her to the papal court in Rome to be his personal adviser. She helped calm the waters during the Western Schism—a split within the Roman church with rival popes claiming to be the true leader. She argued for the legitimacy of Urban in Rome until her death at age thirty-three of a stroke.
Collect for Catherine of Siena
Everlasting God, you so kindled the flame of holy love in the heart of blessed Catherine of Siena, as she meditated on the passion of your Son our Savior, that she devoted her life to the poor and the sick, and to the peace and unity of the Church: Grant that we also may share in the mystery of Christ’s death, and rejoice in the revelation of his glory; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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184 comments on “Catherine of Alexandria vs. Catherine of Siena”
Two of my favorite saints but since I've seen Catherine of Siena's head how could I not vote for her?
Years ago I prayed to Catherine of Siena to see if I should become a nun (Episcopal, obviously). The answer was a clear no, and I've been a bit cross with her ever since. So Catherine of the wheel it is. #grudge
Hi Marguerite! I'm reminded of a favorite poem by the late great Ogden Nash regarding grudges:
Any hound a porcupine nudges
can't be blamed for harboring grudges.
Why, I know one hound who laughed all winter
at a porcupine that sat on a splinter!
There is a summer chapel in Rye Beach, NH which has a stain glass window dedicated to Ogden Nash who was the secretary for 25 years. His signature/caricature can be seen in the lower right portion of the window. I was seated next to it some years ago and was quite surprised. Here's a link if you want to see it.
http://blog.ogdennash.org/2008/06/ogden-at-st-andrews-by-sea.html
By the way, it's an Episcopal chapel.
A vote for the martyr.
"Karen" is also a derivative of "Katherine." And today's is an impossible choice! Has there ever been a tie?
Hard choice since both are mystical brides of Christ. However, K of A is the subject of a movie due out this year, said to include the last appearance of Peter O'Toole, so I voted for her.
Hi I get the e mail every morning but when I scroll down to vote there is gobbldygook there and no way to vote. Anyone else have this problem Anyway to fix?
Thanks
I have that problem as well. I just click on the link to the comments which takes me right to the website where I can vote. I don't have an issue with that little problem
Two Catherines and two mystical marriages?!? What an awesome day. I love C. of S., and hope to visit Tuscany one day to see where she trod, but I was charmed by the nerdy girl, C. of A., for being a philosopher who could convert 50 philosophers, not to mention the wife and household of a brutal dictator. Plus, I can't wait to hear some quotes or trivia related to her. Amen and bless them both!
Catherine of Alexandria also gives her name to the Catherine Wheel, a type of spinning firework. She was a smart girl and a brave one, too. But Catherine of Siena won me over with the her life of hands-on helping, healing, and unifying. She had a steady and beautiful light all her own.
I'm a sucker for hard evidence (like writings) as opposed to legend. The wheel left me spinning. I voted for Catherine of Sienna.
I'm a Kathryn and this was hard today. But Catherine of Siena's diplomatic skills in reuniting the church carried the day for me.
Difficult choice but in the end, Catherine of Sienna gets my vote. She helped the poor. I'm financially challenged(rich in other ways tho'!). Nuff said.
I second the comment about financially poor, but rich in so many other ways!!!! Praise to Catherine of Sienna. As I said earlier this is as tough a choice as the others so far. Enjoying a cup of tea in the Golden Halo cup of Frances Perkins's.
Catherine of Sienna for me today and many days. What a woman! Moving from contemplation to action; advising two popes! What patience, what devotion - to be willing to listen, to learn, to go and do. Wisdom, fairness, and mercy. What a wonderful combination of gifts she offered to the church.
A thousand thanks for the quick fix so we can vote for the Catherine of our choice. Possibly the glitch was the result of pressure from that glorious St. Paddy's Day hat you were wearing!!
Besides, anyone who has the gumption to hack their hair off, whatever the reason, is not lacking in Intestinal Fortitude i.e. Guts. I sure couldn't do it!
Poor Catherine of Alexandria. I was happy to learn about you, but I'm not sure I believe in you. I think it was the milk instead of blood that finally put it over the top. Had to go with the Siena Catherine.
My vote goes to St. Katarina de Siena. "Be who God want you to be, and God will set you on fire." h+++
True that. Just ask Hus (among others).
Other places quote her as saying "Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire" but both statements carry some serious double-edged truth. Love it.
Easy choice for me today. I went with my elementary school alma mater, St. Catherine of Siena.
...any woman who can get powerful men to litem to her gets my vote!
litem, perhaps...listen, definitely:)
Definitely a positive trait!!!! We need more women like Catherine of Sienna. Slowly, I think we are getting them!!!!
This myth of Catherine of Alexandria is just plain silly ...
There seems to be more history than legend in the bio of Catherine of Sienna, so she gets my vote today.
Correction: Siena. "Sienna" is the minivan.
"Sienna" is the traditional English name of the city. So not wrong, though maybe a little dated these days.
My oldest daughter is named for Siena so here's a vote for her!
As a potter, I will have to vote for Catherine of Alexandria (Saint Catherine of the Wheel)
Today, I'll vote for the reconciler, Catherine of Sienna, who aspired to a total love of God. It was nice getting to know Catherine of Alexandria (even if aspects of her reported story appear to be perhaps questionable) as she is not on our calendar.
And my eldest daughter is named for Alexandria (though we spell her name Katharine), and has embraced her patroness whole-heartedly! So, there's my vote: K/C of A!
Thank you for another fantastic matchup! Lent Madness has become my main Lenten activity the past 2 years and I continue to spread your good word! The write-ups and comments form the basis for my daily reflection..... so thank you! For today -anyone that can recognize the beauty and interconnectedness of all creation; broker peace deals; and have the ear of two popes has to get my vote. Speakng as a cradle RC, here's hoping she can get the ear of Pope Francis regarding women's ordination. Go C of S!
I first heard of Catherine of Siena in a seminary class in Christian mysticism, taught by a Methodist clergywoman named Evelyn Newman. She is a wonderful example of the power of a truly God-centered loving life! So she gets my vote!
St. Catherine of Siena has been one of personal patron saints since college. My vote goes to her.
I was named for C of A, so this was the easiest Lent Madness vote so far. Whew!
As a Catherine who named her first born Alyxandra, I really only have one choice. I love that both women are primarily praised for their intelligence and valued for their opinions in addition to their faith. I'll cheer on Catherine of Alexandria, but will gladly take up the cause for C. of Siena if she moves to the next round!