25 November, St Catherine of Alexandria
The day against violence against women also marks the feast day of St Catherine of Alexandria. She died around 305, a virgin and martyr, a beautiful and cultured young Egyptian woman, the daughter of kings, who suffered the ferocity of an emperor for rejecting him. Catherine was condemned to die by the torture of the cogwheel and when the terrible torture instrument was miraculously broken, her beheading was ordered.
Other anniversaries and celebrations
November also marks the feast days of Saints Bertilla, first abbess of the Chelles monastery (5); Elisabeth of the Trinity, Discalced Carmelite (9); Augustine Pietrantoni, of the Sisters of Charity (13); Margaret, Queen of Scots (16); Elisabeth of Hungary (17); Filipina Duchesne, of the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (18); Angela of St Joseph and companions, of the Congregation of the Christian Oblate (20); Blessed Mary of Jesus Good Shepherd Siedliska, of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth (21); Cecilia, martyr (22).
“Festival of Women”
From 4 to 9 November, the “Festival of Women” takes place in Naples. Organised by the Archdiocese of Naples - Laity Sector with the support of the City’s Culture Department, it is opened by historian and theologian Adriana Valerio.
Curated by Valeria Pendenza