February 5, we celebrate the feast of Saint Agatha of Sicily, Virgin and Martyr of the early Church and one of seven women, who, along with the Blessed Virgin Mary, is commemorated by name in the Canon of the Mass.

Born in Sicily, to a wealthy noble family, Agatha consecrated herself at an early age to Jesus, proclaiming her faith, and declaring to her family her intentions to remain an unmarried virgin. Agatha grew into a beautiful and pure young woman, who attracted the attention of many suitors, some quite powerful. She refused each firm in her devotion to her Lord.

Quintianus, governor of Sicily, became deeply enamored of her; but she rejected his advances. As a result she was charged with being a Christian and brought before his tribunal.

After being tortured, “Agatha went to prison radiant with joy and with head held high as though invited to a festive banquet. And she commended her agony to the Lord in prayer. The next day, as she again stood before the judge, she declared her faith in the Lord. She was then stretched on the rack, burned with red-hot irons, and despoiled of her breasts.

Thrown into a dark prison cell and denied medical attention, Agatha prayed for relief, and was granted a miraculous vision of Saint Peter, who filled her cell with a heavenly light and healed her wounds.

Quinctianus sentenced her to death by being rolled alive in hot coals. During the torture, an earthquake miraculously shook the area. Two walls collapsed, burying two of the governor’s friends in the debris.

Fearing a popular uprising, he ordered Agatha, half dead, to be returned to prison. Here she offered her dying prayer: “Blessed Agatha stood in the midst of the prison and with outstretched arms prayed to the Lord: O Lord Jesus Christ, good Master, I give You thanks that You granted me victory over the executioners’ tortures. Grant now that I may happily dwell in Your never-ending glory.” Thereupon she died.

Numerous miracles have been attributed to the intercession of Saint Agatha, including averted eruptions of Mount Etna. A year later, on the day commemorating her death, Mount Etna erupted and the lava started moving down towards the city of Catania. The inhabitants of the city rushed to Saint Agatha’s tomb, took out her red veil, and held it up against the streaming lava, which suddenly halted before doing any harm. Her intercession is reported to have also saved Malta from Turkish invasion in 1551.

St. Lucy the Virgin Martyr, hastened to St. Agatha’s tomb for her mother to be healed. She not only was cured, but St. Agatha appeared to St. Lucy and foretold her martyrdom for Christ. She is the patron saint of breast cancer patients, martyrs, fire, and earthquakes.

The incorrupt body of St Agatha was transferred to Constantinople in the 11th century, and then returned to Catania. The body is now preserved in different reliquaries.

Prayer:

May the Virgin Martyr Saint Agatha implore your compassion for us, O Lord, we pray, for she found favor with you by the courage of her martyrdom and the merit of her chastity.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Saint Agatha of Sicily, pray for us.