Feast of Saint Catherine

Monday, November 24, 2025

Reception: 4–5:30 p.m (Coeur de Catherine, 2nd-floor atrium)

Prayer Service: 5:30–6:15 p.m. (Our Lady of Victory Chapel)

We’ll celebrate the University’s namesake, Saint Catherine of Alexandria, with a reception featuring heavy appetizers followed by an evening prayer service in Our Lady of Victory Chapel. Food offerings will observe kosher, halal, and other dietary needs.

Come gather with community members and reflect on the illuminating power of knowledge as embodied by the patron saint of students, philosophers, and scholars. All are welcome. 

RSVP link to come.

Questions? Contact uevents@stkate.edu.

 

Read the 2024 Newswire recap

 

About Saint Catherine

In the Catholic tradition, Saint Catherine of Alexandria was a fourth-century Alexandrian noblewoman, Christian, and scholar. She suffered martyrdom for her faith after defeating the Roman emperor Maxentius in debate.

Historically, St. Catherine is in fact a composite of several women of Alexandria who defied Roman authority and were punished for their faith. In venerating the figure of St. Catherine, we honor these extraordinary women.

Today St. Catherine serves as the patron saint of students, philosophers, and scholars. For this reason, she was chosen by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet as the namesake of our University.

Read more of the story and history of Saint Catherine of Alexandria in the Catholic tradition by Jane Lamm Carroll '80, PhD, with Sharon Doherty, PhD.

Download a printable Saint Catherine card

St. Catherine of Alexandria and her Sisters, 2006

St. Catherine of Alexandria and her Sisters
2006, Ansgar Holmberg, CSJ ’62, gouache, water-based tempera paint.
Anonymous gift to the College of St. Catherine libraries.

Feast of Saint Catherine Reading List

All books are available through the St. Catherine University Library.

Non-Fiction
Fiction and Poetry