She inspired the Catherine wheel firework and on her feast day – 25 November – French milliners have traditionally paraded their wares. Yet St Catherine of Alexandria has had mixed fortunes in recent years. For instance, in 1969 she was removed from the calendar of saints – only to be reintroduced by Pope John Paul II. However, interest in the scholar-princess, tortured and killed by the Romans on a spiked wheel for refusing to worship pagan gods, is likely to increase in the coming months as a film has been made about her life and times. Katherine of Alexandria has been written and directed by Michael Redwood, and stars some of the cream of British acting talent, including Peter O’Toole, Edward Fox, Joss Ackland and Steven Berkoff. Including time for Mr Redwood&rs
28 November 2013, The Tablet
Wheel of fortune
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