La sainte Catherine

 

Catherine Day is celebrated every year on November 25th. It is the day for non-married girl and for little girl. It appeared on Xth century. This day is celebrated in France and other countries like in England, Estonia, Belgium, Canada. It is a commeration of Catherine of Alexandrie a city in Egypt.

Catherine of Alexandrie

She was born around on 290. She was very devoted and very clever. The emperor made a pass at the young girl but she wasn't interested of him. She told that she married to God. The emperor was very furious and ordered to behead her. The legend said that a milk sank instead of blood. She died at the age of 18.





The celebration in France

At the North of France, little girls send each other cards for this day. Young ladies who aren't still married at 25, wear a hat and hope to meet a man as her futur husband. In cities in France (not all), a fair is given and you can find some young ladies with a hat. Green and yellow colours are chosen by a majority of young ladies for their hat. These colours are symbolic. Green symbolizes the hope and the yellow means the wisdom. They are called les Catherinettes.

At this event, there are some traders exposing their goods, some retailer offering drinks, sandwiches, hot dogs, cakes... and the traditional ginger bread pig with a whistle as a tail.











In the past, single ladies told some praise according their age requesting to God to them a husband.

At 25: « Donnez-moi, Seigneur, un mari de bon lieu! Qu'il soit doux, opulent, libéral et agréable! »
Give me, my Lord, a husband from a good society!  He be a  gentle man, liberal and pleasant!

After 25: « Seigneur, un qui soit supportable, ou qui, parmi le monde, au moins puisse passer! » .
Lord, one who be bearable, or, among the world, be able to pass at least.

After 30: « Un tel qu'il te plaira Seigneur, je m'en contente ! ».
one who will please you, I will be satisfied.

A poem of Sainte-Catherine

« Sainte Catherine, soyez bonne

Nous n'avons plus d'espoir

qu'en vous

Vous êtes notre patronne

Ayez pitié de nous

Nous vous implorons à genoux

Aidez-nous à nous marier

Pitié, donnez-nous un époux

Car nous brûlons d'aimer

Daignez écouter la prière

De nos cœurs fortement épris

Oh, vous qui êtes notre mère

Donnez-nous un mari »

I collected praises and the poem from Wikipedia.