St. Catherine was born in Sweden of holy parents. Her mother was St. Bridget and her father, the good Prince Ulfo. When she was seven, Catherine was placed in a convent to be educated.
At the age of fourteen, she was given marriage to a good young nobleman. So well did Catherine speak of the happiness of belonging to God alone that her husband agreed to live with her as her brother. These two holy servants of God spent most of their time in prayer, mortification and works of charity.
St. Catherine had to suffer insults and unkind treatment, even from her own relatives. Yet, she did not become upset. She offered it all to God.
When St. Catherine accompanied her mother to Rome, she received news of her husband’s death in Sweden. Many people wanted her to marry again, because she was still young and pretty. But Catherine firmly refused. With the help of God, she remained a virgin all her life.
Four hours a day Catherine prayed. She spent the rest of her time serving God and doing good to many people. After her mother died, she entered a convent. St. Catherine had the great joy of seeing her own mother canonized as a saint.
Let us learn from this pure virgin never to look at anything impure or displeasing to God.
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