Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness around the world.

Nov 25, 2006

I am introducing a new column today called Famous People.  In this column we will be looking at famous people in history, politics, religions, psychology, whatever your heart’s desire.  The cool thing about it is that it is an open column, anybody can write for the column.  Hart Dowd befittingly starts the column off but everyone is welcome to write.  Just remember to put in your email to me Famous People Column so that your story does not get mixed up with regular queue stories.

ST. CATHERINE is another popular saint whose feast day is celebrated in November.

Sentenced to death by Emperor Maxentius for her extraordinary success in converting people to Christianity, it is said that she was tortured on a spiked wheel.  Although she was saved by divine intervention, the Emperor then had her beheaded.  Today, there is a firework than spins in pinwheel style throwing off multicoloured lights; it is known as Catherine Wheel.  Gymnasts who perform cartwheels are thought to be repeating the motion of St. Catherine on the dreadful wheel of torture.

            In Canada, la Sainte-Catherine, celebrated by French Canadians on November 25^th, has its own special custom.  A beloved seventeenth-century teacher, Marguerite Bourgeoys, had her students make la tire de la Ste. Catherine  (St. Catherine’s taffy) as a way to encourage children to attend school.

            A good friend or ours, a native of Montreal, gave us a recipe for la tire, and it is quite delicious.  Maria tells us that the secret to perfect taffy is the use of a candy thermometer.  Although it is possible to make it without a thermometer, it is a bit more of a risk.

SAINT CATHERINE’S PULL TAFFY

1 cup molasses

1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup corn syrup

1 tablespoon vinegar

1 tablespoon butter

1 teaspoon baking soda

? cup water

1. Grease well a cookie sheet that has an edge.
2. In a pot, mix together all of the ingredients except the baking soda.
3. Bring to a boil and continue to boil until a teaspoonful of the liquid forms a hard ball when dropped into cold water, or until a candy thermometer reads 240 degrees F or 115 degrees C.
4. Add the baking soda and stir until well mixed.
5. Pour onto the greased cookie sheet.
6. Allow to cool.  When the taffy is cool enough to pick up, smear your hands with butter and pull until the taffy is golden.  Cut the taffy into bite-sized pieces.

Info found in Encyclopaedia Britannica -  Saint Catherine of Alexandria

died , c. early 4th century, Alexandria, Egypt; feast day November 25

She was one of the most popular early Christian martyrs. She is not mentioned before the 9th century, and her historicity is doubtful. According to the legend, she was an extremely learned young girl of noble birth who protested the persecution of Christians under the Roman emperor Maxentius who then offered Catherine a royal marriage if she would deny the Faith. Her refusal landed her in prison. While in prison, and while Maxentius was away, Catherine converted Maxentius' wife and two hundred of his soldiers. He had them all put to death. Catherine also defeated the most eminent scholars summoned by Maxentius to oppose her.  

Catherine was likewise condemned to death. She was put on a spiked wheel, and when the wheel broke, she was beheaded. She is venerated as the patroness of philosophers and preachers. St. Catherine's was one of the voices heard by St. Joan of Arc.

After her death angels allegedly took her body to Mt. Sinai, where it was discovered c. 800. In the Middle Ages, when the story of her mystical marriage to Christ was widely circulated, she was one of the most popular saints. She is the patron of philosophers and scholars. St. Joan of Arc claimed that Catherine's was among the heavenly voices that spoke to her. In 1969 her feast day was removed from the church calendar.

Maxentius' blind fury against St. Catherine is symbolic of the anger of the world in the face of truth and justice. When we live a life of truth and justice, we can expect the forces of evil to oppose us. Our perseverance in good, however, will be everlasting.

Hartson S. Dowd

hsdowd@telus.net