On the quiet grounds of our convent, a new space is taking shape—a space where beauty, prayer, and the witness of the saints will meet in one living, growing testimony to God’s glory. St. Katherine’s Garden will not simply be a collection of plants and paths. It will be a sanctuary of Scripture, a lesson in virtue, and a place where the natural world sings the praises of its Creator.

The Shape of a Martyr’s Story

The garden’s design is inspired by St. Katherine’s wheel—once intended to break her, yet broken instead by God’s power and her steadfast faith. What was meant for harm became a testimony to the saints’ great love for Christ and to His glory. Here, the wheel becomes a sign of victory—remade into a place of life, peace, and contemplation. Grey, rounded walkways form the spokes of the wheel, inviting visitors to journey inward, just as the spiritual life draws us closer to the heart of Christ.

At the end of each walkway rests a quiet bench, surrounded by plants that embody one of St. Katherine’s seven virtues: Wisdom, Courage, Purity, Faithfulness, Evangelical Zeal, Discernment, and Love/Charity. Each space offers not only a resting place for the body but also a meditation point for the soul.

The Seven Virtues in Bloom

Every virtue is represented by a plant chosen for its rich history and deep Christian symbolism:

• Wisdom – Olive Tree
  The olive tree has long been a sign of wisdom, peace, and God’s blessing. Its deep roots and enduring fruit remind us of the steadfast wisdom that comes from walking with the Lord.

• Courage – Thyme
  In the ancient world, thyme was planted on the graves of warriors as a sign of bravery. It speaks to the holy boldness needed to stand for truth, just as St. Katherine faced emperors and pagan philosophers without fear.

• Purity –Jasmine
  With its delicate white blossoms and sweet fragrance, jasmine reflects the purity of heart that delights in God. It reminds us of the beauty and tenderness of a soul kept pure before Him.

• Faithfulness – Rosemary
  Known as the herb of remembrance, rosemary signifies loyalty and constancy. Like faith that endures through every season, it stays evergreen, reminding us to remain steadfast in the Lord.

• Evangelical Zeal – Grapevine
  Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches” (John 15:5). The grapevine represents spiritual fruitfulness, abundance, and the call to spread the Good News to all.

• Discernment – Sage
  The same sage that symbolizes wisdom also represents discernment—clear thinking, spiritual insight, and the healing that comes when we walk in God’s truth.

• Love/Charity – Lavender
  With its soothing fragrance and gentle beauty, lavender reflects sacrificial love and quiet strength—the love that serves without seeking recognition.

A Crown of St. Katherine’s Lace

Threaded throughout the interior of the wheel will be the delicate beauty of St. Katherine’s Lace (Eriogonum giganteum ssp. giganteum, Polygonaceae)—a plant native to Santa Catalina Island, historically known as St. Katherine Island in Latin.

Its airy white blossoms form intricate, lacy clusters that echo the very shape of the wheel’s spokes. Like the saint it honors, the plant is both graceful and strong, able to thrive in challenging conditions. Its presence throughout the garden ties each virtue together, symbolizing unity in holiness and the beauty that blooms from a life fully given to God.

A Garden of Abundance

Encircling the wheel, shade trees will provide a cool refuge on warm days, while the surrounding grounds will be planted with a variety of fruit trees—figs, pomegranates, apples, and citrus. Each fruit tree carries its own biblical echoes: the sweetness of God’s promises, the harvest of righteousness, and the joy of His provision.

The paths will wind through these plantings, allowing visitors to taste and see the goodness of the Lord—quite literally—while enjoying the beauty of His creation.

The Heart of the Garden: St. Verena’s Well

At the very center of St. Katherine’s Garden will stand St. Verena’s Well, a water feature surrounded by the snowy-white blooms of St. Katherine’s Lace. Here, two holy women meet—one, a fearless martyr; the other, a gentle healer.

The well recalls the historic St. Verena’s Cave and Well in Zurzach, Switzerland, where pilgrims have come for centuries to drink and wash from the waters associated with her healing ministry. St. Verena, an Egyptian saint, devoted her life to caring for the sick, the poor, and the forgotten. In the early centuries of the Church, she carried the love of Christ to distant lands, offering both physical and spiritual refreshment.

Our plaque at the well will read:

“Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst.” (John 4:14)

In honor of St. Verena, a woman of holy compassion, healing care, and steadfast service. Through her quiet strength and nurturing presence, she carried the love of Christ to the forgotten, the sick, and the poor. Her life was a wellspring of mercy and healing—overflowing with grace, humility, and holy service.

A Place for Prayer and Encounter

St. Katherine’s Garden is meant to be more than a scenic spot. It will be a place where Scripture is made tangible, where the virtues are not just read about but also experienced through the senses. Visitors will be able to sit among the rosemary and remember God’s faithfulness, inhale the fragrance of lavender and be inspired to love more deeply, or rest in the shade and reflect on the wisdom that comes from above.

The garden will also be a space for quiet prayer, small group reflection, and spiritual retreats—inviting girls and women of all ages to draw near to Christ in the stillness of nature.

Rooted in Heaven, Growing on Earth

Every plant, every path, every bench in this garden has been chosen with care so that the space itself becomes a living icon—a picture of the Kingdom of God breaking into our everyday lives. Just as a garden must be tended, so too must the virtues be cultivated in our hearts. And just as the wheel’s spokes all lead to the center, so do all virtues lead us closer to Christ.

In a world that often rushes past beauty and neglects the inner life, St. Katherine’s Garden will stand as a quiet proclamation: the soul matters, holiness matters, and beauty is a pathway to God.

When the garden is complete, we pray it will not only honor St. Katherine and St. Verena but also bless all who visit—offering rest for the weary, inspiration for the pilgrim, and a foretaste of the paradise that awaits those who love Him.

In His service,

Kathy Abraham