1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride.
Tunc simile erit regnum caelorum decem virginibus : quae accipientes lampades suas exierunt obviam sponso et sponsae.

 2 And five of them were foolish, and five wise.
Quinque autem ex eis erant fatuae, et quinque prudentes :

 3 But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them:
sed quinque fatuae, acceptis lampadibus, non sumpserunt oleum secum :

 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps.
prudentes vero acceperunt oleum in vasis suis cum lampadibus.

 5 And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept.
Moram autem faciente sponso, dormitaverunt omnes et dormierunt.

 6 And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him.
Media autem nocte clamor factus est : Ecce sponsus venit, exite obviam ei.

 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
Tunc surrexerunt omnes virgines illae, et ornaverunt lampades suas.

 8 And the foolish said to the wise: Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out.
Fatuae autem sapientibus dixerunt : Date nobis de oleo vestro, quia lampades nostrae extinguuntur.

 9 The wise answered, saying: Lest perhaps there be not enough for us and for you, go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Responderunt prudentes, dicentes : Ne forte non sufficiat nobis, et vobis, ite potius ad vendentes, et emite vobis.

 10 Now whilst they went to buy, the bridegroom came: and they that were ready, went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut.
Dum autem irent emere, venit sponsus : et quae paratae erant, intraverunt cum eo ad nuptias, et clausa est janua.

 11 But at last come also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us.
Novissime vero veniunt et reliquae virgines, dicentes : Domine, domine, aperi nobis.

 12 But he answering said: Amen I say to you, I know you not.
At ille respondens, ait : Amen dico vobis, nescio vos.

 13 Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour.
Vigilate itaque, quia nescitis diem, neque horam.

St Catharine, an illustrious virgin of Alexandria in Egypt, was famous for her learning. The Emperor Maximian assembled learned men to bring her to the worship of idols, but they were converted to Christianity. Maximian then ordered her to be beheaded afer many cruel torments A.D. 305.