Type into Google “patron saint of feminists” and you will find that there is no such title. There are suggestions such as Sts. Brigid, Teresa of Avila, Joan of Arc, Hildgard, and Edith Stein—all excellent contenders for the patronage. As a devout lover of saints and feminist thought, I would nominate St. Catherine of Alexandria, the metaphorical and literal wheel-breaker, to be the patron saint of feminists.
St. Catherine’s story is a blend of history and legend. Born to a noble family in Alexandria (modern-day Egypt), she was reputed to be extraordinarily intelligent, with a deep love for philosophy and learning. In Catherine’s early teens, she became a Christian and, spurred by a desire to challenge pagan philosophies, she sought to debate the emperor Maxentius’ fifty scholars. Her courage and intellect were so formidable that she won over many of the emperor's intellectuals, leading to her eventual arrest. While in prison, she was tortured but was still able to convert many to the Christian faith. When Emperor Maxentius' attempts to force Catherine into submission through torture failed, he sought to sway her by offering marriage. Her refusal to renounce her Christian faith and marry Maxentius led the emperor to sentence Catherine to death on a spiked breaking wheel, but when she touched it, the wheel miraculously shattered. Eventually, she was beheaded with a sword.
The original torture device meant to kill Catherine is now known as “Catherine’s Wheel,” which is ironic since the wheel didn’t kill her; instead, she destroyed it with a mere touch. Catherine was not only shattered the wheel of torture but also broking down the wheel of feminine norms. Catherine’s depiction as a scholar and theologian who stands her ground against male philosophers directly challenges prevailing beliefs about women’s intellectual abilities. Her success in debates, emerging victorious over some of the most learned men of her era, presents her as a powerful example of intellectual independence. Her association with learning, leadership, and defiance in the face of oppression and a tyrannical regime has made her an iconic figure for many who seek to understand the intersection of gender, power, and faith.
It should not come as a shock that St. Catherine has inspired later saints known for breaking gender-norm boundaries. During the medieval period, she was known as one of the most powerful intercessors for prayer. Peasant girl turned soldier, Joan of Arc, claimed that it was St. Catherine who told her to save France. Joan didn’t fall far from her fellow wheel-breaker’s legacy, as she too is remembered as a martyr and a symbol of bravery, faith, and divine guidance. Today, Catherine is the inspiration for many all-women educational institutions (including this author’s alma mater). These are places where women are built up as scholars and leaders—places to discern, learn, and encouraged to ask questions; places where wheel-breakers of our day are created.
While there may not be an official patron saint of feminists, St. Catherine of Alexandria stands as a powerful symbol of intellectual strength, courage, and resistance against patriarchal constraints. Her story of defiance, not only in the face of physical torture but also in her unwavering commitment to her beliefs and intellect, challenges the gendered limitations of her time. Through her legacy, Catherine continues to inspire women who seek to break down barriers. St. Catherine's influence is undeniable. As the wheel-breaker, she remains a timeless figure for those who aspire to challenge norms, pursue knowledge, and, perhaps, be a complete badass in the face of tyranny.
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