St. Catherine of Alexandria (287-305)

Born into nobility, St. Catherine of Alexandria was known for her intelligence and learning. Tradition says she converted to Christianity after receiving a vision of the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus.
 
At age 18, Catherine took it upon herself to rebuke Emperor Maxentius for his persecution of Christians. The emperor ordered 50 of his best pagan philosophers to debate her, but her spirited defense converted many of the philosophers and those in the emperor’s court. The emperor ordered Catherine and the new converts to be executed.
 
Catherine was imprisoned under harsh conditions, and many came to visit her. To persuade her to abandon Christianity, the emperor proposed marriage, but Catherine refused, stating that she was married to Jesus Christ and that her virginity was dedicated to Him.
 
She was taken to a spiked breaking wheel for execution, but legend says it shattered when she touched it. She was beheaded instead.
 
In the sixth century, Eastern Emperor Justinian established St. Catherine’s Monastery on the Sinai Peninsula in her honor. She is also one of the “Fourteen Holy Helpers” whose intercession is believed to be most powerful.

— Jim Graves