St. Katherine of Alexandria

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this lesson is for the second graders to learn the story of Saint Katherine of Alexandria, and to help them understand how St. Katherine is the saint of courage, wisdom, and studying.

INTRODUCTION - 10 Minutes

Ask the children how many of them have ever given an oral report or presentation. How did they feel speaking in front of a large group? Was it easier being prepared? If you weren't prepared, did you worry that you wouldn't know what to say? Saint Katherine was a young girl, who came to Christ later in her life, and defended our Lord Jesus Christ and the Christian faith in front of one hundred and fifty of the best educated pagan philosophers of her time. Do you think then words came easy for her? Based on the memory verse, where do you think her words came from?

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 10 Minutes

Memory Verse
"But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you." Matthew 10:19-20

Abbreviate if needed, depending on the ability of your second graders

LIFE OF THE SAINT - 15 Minutes

This is the story of Katherine of Alexandria in the fourth century. Katherine was not baptized a Christian as a baby. Her father did not believe in Jesus Christ and her mother was a Christian, but in secret. Katherine's mother kept her faith a secret because in those times being a Christian was illegal according to Emperor Maximinus.

When Katherine was old enough to get married, many men came and asked her to be their wife. Katherine always said no, because she'd rather spend her time studying and didn't want her life to change. Some of the subjects she studied were math, medicine, languages, and especially philosophy. Philosophy is the study of knowledge and people who study philosophy are called philosophers. In those days, it was very uncommon for a woman to be educated, especially as well educated as she was.

Katherine didn't want to spend her time with anyone or anything except her books. So she tried to put off her parents by saying, "I will only marry the man who comes from as good a family as ours, is as smart as me and is handsome, too." Her father was very upset because he couldn't think of any man to equal his daughter in intelligence and beauty. But her mother knew that only Jesus Christ could fill her daughter's heart with love and wisdom. She secretly took Katherine to an elder monk who was very wise in the teachings of the Church. The elder told Katherine about a Handsome Prince who was the Beginning of all wisdom and the most Noble of all creation. Katherine did not know that he was talking about our Lord Jesus Christ and asked if she could meet this Man. The monk gave her an icon of Saint Mary and Child Jesus. He taught Katherine to pray for Saint Mary's intercessions to meet her Holy Son.

That night Katherine prayed very hard and for a very long time until she finally fell asleep. While she was sleeping, a dream came to her. She saw our Lord Jesus Christ sitting on Saint Mary's knee, as a Child, just like in the icon. Saint Mary told her Son to look upon the pretty and smart Katherine. The Child Jesus answered that He would not look at her. Jesus Christ sees inside our hearts and He saw that Katherine's heart was full of only worldly concerns. When we believe in Him, then our hearts become beautiful and wonderful. The Christ Child wanted Katherine to be beautiful in her heart with the love of Jesus.

When Katherine awoke, she could not think of anything but our Lord Jesus Christ. She very much wanted to see His Face and accept Him with all her heart. Katherine went back to the monk as soon as she could and asked to learn about Christianity. She opened her mind and heart to all the teachings of the Church from the elder. That very day Katherine confessed the faith, believing with all her heart. She was baptized in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

As a new Christian, with God living in her heart, she prayed that night before bed. Again, Saint Mary and the Holy Child Jesus came to her in a dream. This time the Lord declared how beautiful the baptized Katherine looked, because of what was in her heart In her dream, our Lord Jesus gave Katherine a ring to show how proud He was of her and how much He loved her, just like He loves us. When she woke up, Katherine was amazed and filled with love and gratitude to find a real ring on her finger

Unfortunately, Emperor Maximinus declared a decree for all the people in the city to gather to worship idols. Katherine was so sad to see many people worshipping fake gods. She wanted everyone to be as happy as she was by becoming Christian and loving the only True God. With God guiding her heart, Katherine decided to speak to Emperor Maximinus about his terrible mistakes. Katherine bravely stood before the Emperor and told him even though she has studied all of her life there is no wisdom greater than Jesus Christ, our God The Emperor became very angry that someone would disobey his decree. He asked many questions hoping to confuse her and tried to tempt her with riches and glory. But Katherine was brave and strong and always remained true to God.

Finally, Emperor Maximinus asked Katherine if she was willing to discuss her Christian faith against one hundred and fifty of his own pagan philosophers. Archangel Michael appeared to her and encouraged Katherine, telling her not to be afraid because God would add wisdom to her own. Not only that but that the philosophers and people watching would hear her and love Jesus our Lord because of her words. When the time for the test came, Katherine stood by herself, with God in her mind and heart, against one hundred and fifty men. With love and gentleness, Katherine explained her faith and knowledge of the One True God to these men. Just like in the memory verse, the Holy Spirit guided her to say the right words to reach all the people listening to her speech. She encouraged them to also believe in the True God who loves everyone. Amazingly, all one hundred and fifty men were convinced and they all became Christian by the end of her speech. Maximinus was so angry that the philosophers became Christian. He ordered for all of them to be thrown into the fire and die as martyrs for their faith. The philosophers asked for Katherine's intercessions and prayers to God so they could be forgiven and be allowed to receive baptism.

Katherine prayed for them that the fire could be a baptism for them, to enter the Heavenly Kingdom and be with God. Those brave men were received to Heaven on November 17. Even though they died by the fire, their bodies were not burned This miracle was God's way of showing those who watched that God's love and protection is true and is offered to all who believe.

The Emperor's wife, Empress Faustina, admired Katherine for her virtue and courage. She had a dream that Katherine was sitting in bright white clothes and was offering her a golden wreath from her Lord Jesus Christ. Empress Faustina asked the head of the guards, a serious soldier named Porphyrius, if she could meet Katherine. Porphyrius, Empress Faustina, and two hundred soldiers who all wanted to meet Katherine, traveled down to the dungeon at night. They found Katherine fresh and healthy, even though the dirty dungeon where she was kept did not offer her any food or water for over a week. Our Lord Jesus Christ sent a dove to Katherine everyday with food and water to restore her. The Empress and soldiers listened to all that Katherine said and were filled with the joy and peace of the Holy Spirit. Empress Faustina, Porphyrius and the two hundred soldiers were ready to receive God as their Lord and Savior.

The next day, Emperor Maximinius called Katherine to him again. He was surprised to see her as beautiful as ever and thought that the soldiers were feeding her in secret. Katherine did not want anyone to get in trouble, so she told the truth. She explained that no one fed her, but the Lord provides for all of His servants. The Emperor was angry and ordered for her to be tortured. But when she was put in the machine to hurt her, the machine broke When Empress Faustina learned that Maximinus tried to hurt Katherine, she came out of her room and told him that it was foolish to try to hurt the servant of the True God. Maximinus lost himself in his anger and ordered for her to be killed. Faustina became a martyr and was happy to join her Beloved Lord Jesus Christ on November 23rd.

The following day, the brave Porphyrius and his courageous two hundred soldiers went to the Emperor. They told him that they were all Christians and wanted the Heavenly reward like the Empress. Maximinus tried to change their minds because he did not want to lose his best soldiers. But Porphyrius and the two hundred soldiers were firm in their faith and did not deny Christ Jesus as their Savior. They bravely stood to be martyred and entered Heaven on November 24th.

The Emperor was so angry that his philosophers, soldiers, and wife all became Christian because of Katherine. He tried many ways to trick her and even hurt her, but he could not turn her heart away from Christ Jesus. Saint Katherine, with all her new friends, entered the glorious ranks of Heaven as a martyr on November 25th. The angels carried her body to Mount Sinai, where a monastery was later built in her name and still stands to this day. May her prayers be with us all. Amen.

ACTIVITY/DISCUSSION - 10 Minutes

Color the picture of Saint Katherine and discuss what you see in her picture.

Why is there an open book next to her?
- Because she was so well educated
What does the wheel mean?
- The machine of torture that broke
What do the palm branch and cross mean?
- They are symbols of her faith.
Why does she have a crown on?
- Saint Katherine was not a princess, but she received the crown of martyrdom in Heaven.

PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK

Review the story of Saint Katherine of Alexandria with your second grader.
Look up pictures of her monastery on Mount Sinai on your phone or computer.
Hang your second grader's coloring picture on the fridge or in their room and encourage them to ask for Saint Katherine's intercessions.