Saint Agatha of Sicily:

Feast day : 05 February

Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Agatha of Sicily, a young martyr who lived in the early third century and was martyred during the reign of Emperor Decius around A.D. 251. She was born into a powerful and wealthy family in Sicily and at a young age consecrated her life and virginity to Lord Jesus Christ. Her beauty attracted many suitors including a high ranking official called Quinctianus who was known to persecute Christians. When she rejected his proposal, she was arrested and mercilessly tortured to give up her faith. On his orders, her breasts were cut off. Despite all the attempts, she stood firm in her faith and eventually attained martyrdom. She is the patron saint of Catania, Molise, Malta, San Marino, and Zamarramala, a municipality of the Province of Segovia in Spain and her intercession is invoked against breast cancer, eruption of volcanoes, earthquakes, lightning and fires.

Early life:

Saint Agatha was born in Sicily into a wealthy and powerful family. At an early age, she was known to have lived in the grace and favour of God, consecrating her life and virginity to her Lord Jesus Christ. However, her beauty attracted the attention of a high ranking official named Quinctianus, who was notorious for his persecution of Christians. She however rejected his proposal of marriage remaining committed to her Lord. Enraged by her rejection, he had her imprisoned in a brothel in an attempt to break her stubbornness but she did not relent. Later hoping that she would change her mind when faced with prison and probable death, he sent her to prison. There she was mercilessly tortured for her faith. There are many stories of the cruel tortures met out to her in prison where she is said to have been beaten, burned with torches, stretched on a wooden horse while an executioner tore her flesh with iron hooks and finally her breasts were cut off. But she never lost her hope and love for God and remained committed to her vows till the end. It is said that St. Peter appeared to her in the prison and miraculously healed her wounds. Quinctianus did not give up. In a final attempt to weaken her morals, he ordered her to be rolled naked over hot coals. But a violent and sudden earthquake is said to have toppled a nearby hill, causing the torturers to flee. Shortly after this, she is believed to have died in prison.

Relics:

Her body was buried in Catania and remained there till the 11th century. During the Arab occupation, it was transferred by the Byzantines to Constantinople, and a century later it was returned to Catania. Her body was found to be incorrupt and is now preserved in different reliquaries. The arms, legs and breasts are preserved in a glass case in an incorrupt condition, although dried and dark. The skull and principal relics are at Catania enclosed in an effigy on which rests a costly jewelled crown. The reliquary consists of the figure of the Saint from head to waist and is placed in an upright position. The reliquary is covered with precious gems and flowers and crosses donated by people who have been blessed by her intercession. It is exposed for public veneration every year on February 5th, February 12th and on August 17th.

Patron:

She is the patron saint of Catania, Molise, Malta, San Marino, and Zamarramala, a municipality of the Province of Segovia in Spain and her intercession is invoked against breast cancer, eruption of volcanoes, earthquakes, lightning and fires. Her feast is celebrated on February 5.