Photo by Rebecca Zenefski Slater ’10
On November 25, the St. Kate’s community will gather to honor University namesake Saint Catherine of Alexandria.
In the Catholic tradition, St. Catherine is a composite of several extraordinary women of Alexandria who defied Roman authority and were punished for their Christian faith. Today, she serves as the patron saint of students, philosophers, and scholars. The annual campus celebration of St. Catherine’s feast day is an opportunity to honor this strong figure chosen by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet as University namesake.
Although celebrating the Feast of Saint Catherine is an annual University tradition, this particular year is special — it is the first time in two years that the event will be held in the newly renovated and reopened Our Lady of Victory Chapel. Additionally, the Chapel recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, which St. Kate’s commemorated with a week of celebrations.
This year, the Feast of St. Catherine will include a reception in the Coeur de Catherine 2nd-floor atrium from 4–5:30 p.m. that features heavy appetizers, and an evening prayer service from 5:30–6:15 p.m. that welcomes all faiths. Past services have included prayer, song, and lighting the chapel with candles. ASL interpreting will also be included.