The legend of St. Catherine is the most outrageous addition to company of Christian saints due the dubious hagiography of the early Christian church.. In fact, there are enough preposterous facets of her alleged martyrdom to crete a prime time soap opera.

Catherine was exceptionally bright and beautiful, and reported to be the most beautiful young woman in Alexandria. She publically denounced the Emperor Maxentius for worshiping idols when she was only eighteen. Smitten by her beauty, Maxentius  tried to convert her to idolatry by having Catherine appear before fifty philosophers who were ordered to convince Catherine of her heresy. When Catherine was able to demolish all of the philosophers' arguments and convince them of the Christian religion, Maxentius  burned them to death.

Maxentius was so dazzled by Catherine's predominance before his philosopher that he ordered Catherine to many him. Catherine refused and Maxentius had her flogged and imprisoned for several days without food Fasting was not apparently a problem for Catherine who was fed daily by a dove that flew through her prison window. Maxentius then tried a more sophisticated torture. He had a spiked wheel constructed (the Catherine-wheel) on which Catherine was tied spread-eagle. The wheel was set in motion and as its speed was increased, the spikes began to be hurled off, impaling  the onlookers who had come to witness Catherine's torture.
 

Catherine of Alexandria
by Raphael

Although there is no historical evidence that Catherine ever existed, her cult has been very strong. Catherine was one of the "voices" that commanded Joan of Arc to save France and  is venerated as the patroness of philosophers and preachers.  

On St. Catherine's Day, it is customary for unmarried women to pray for husbands, and to honor women who've reached 25 years of age but haven't married -- called "Catherinettes" in France. Pilgrimage is made to St. Catherine's statue, and she is asked to intercede in finding husbands for the unmarried The French say that before a girl reaches 25, she prays: "Donnez-moi, Seigneur, un mari de bon lieu! Qu'il soit doux, opulent, libéral et agréable!" (Lord, give me a well-situated husband. Let him be gentle, rich, generous, and pleasant!") After 25, she prays: "Seigneur, un qui soit supportable, ou qui, parmi le monde, au moins puisse passer!" (Lord, one who's bearable, or who can at least pass as bearable in the world!") And when she's pushing 30: "Un tel qu'il te plaira Seigneur, je m'en contente!" ("Send whatever you want, Lord; I'll take it!"). An English version goes,

*  Not to be confused with the Kattern cake , the persimmon cupcakes named after Catherine of Aragon    
 

Cattern Cake