St. Agatha

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Although we have evidence that Agatha was venerated at least as far back as the sixth century, the only facts we have about her are that she was born in Sicily and died there a martyr.

In the legend of her life, we are told that she belonged to a rich, important family. When she was young, she dedicated her life to God and resisted any men who wanted to marry her or have sex with her. One of these men, Quintian, was of a high enough rank that he felt he could force her to acquiesce. Knowing she was a Christian in a time of persecution, he had her arrested and brought before the judge - - himself. He expected her to give in to when faced with torture and possible death, but she simply affirmed her belief in God by praying: "Jesus Christ, Lord of all, you see my heart, you know my desires. Possess all that I am. I am your sheep: make me worthy to overcome the devil."

Legend tells us that Quintian imprisoned her in a brothel in order to get her to change her mind. Quintian brought her back before him after she had suffered a month of assault and humiliation in the brothel, but Agatha had never wavered, proclaiming that her freedom came from Jesus. Quintian sent her to prison, instead of back to the brothel -- a move intended to make her more afraid, but which probably was a great relief to her. When she continued to profess her faith in Jesus, Quintian had her tortured. He refused her any medical care but God gave her all the care she needed in the form of a vision of St. Peter. When she was tortured again, she died after saying a final prayer: "Lord, my Creator, you have always protected me from the cradle; you have taken me from the love of the world and given me patience to suffer. Receive my soul."

Because one of the tortures she supposedly suffered was to have her breasts cut off, she was often depicted carrying her breasts on a plate. It is thought that blessing of the bread that takes place on her feast may have come from the mistaken notion that she was carrying loaves of bread.

Because she was asked for help during the eruption of Mount Etna she is considered a protector against the outbreak of fire. She is also considered the patroness of bellmakers for an unknown reason -- though some speculate it may have something to do with the fact that bells were used as fire alarms.

Prayer:

Saint Agatha, you suffered sexual assault and indignity because of your faith. Help heal all those who are survivors of sexual assault and protect those women who are in danger. Amen

from Wikipedia

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1 - 20 of 90 Comments

Margaret
3 months ago
St Agatha - Please pray for me. I am battling breast cancer and needs lots of prayers. Thank you.
OMEJE DARLINGTINA
3 months ago
Saint Agatha-pray for us
Joseph Mathew
3 months ago
St. Agatha, please pray for us to be gifted with the virtue of perseverance in all difficult and adverse circumstances.
terry morrow
3 months ago
My grandaughters mother is due to have breast surgery in a few days time,i ask st. agatha
to pray that she will be come through this operation and be healthy,it is very fitting that i came across the story of st. agatha to day while attending mass this morning I will pray to
St. agatha to give me strength in my faith.
Damian
3 months ago
St Agatha, pray for me that I may get a job. You see how I am persecuted where I work and I have no freedom, please pray for me.
jose
3 months ago
st.agatha pls pray for ma exams starting tmrw onwrds.help me to score above 90 pls pray for me
Kim
3 months ago
Dear St. Agatha, please pray for me, you are my chosen Saint for confirmation.
Mona
3 months ago
Please pray for Jacob that he finds peace and the right path, for his mother that the doctors can slow the progression of her disease and for all cancer patients that we deal with our disease with grace and dignity. Thank you.
christopher
3 months ago
St.Agatha great saint god bless you how much you suffered
please pray for me and my family 2 god
God Bless us all
Amen
Paschal Chukwuma
3 months ago
I am most humbled by what you pass through because you believe and insisted to keep your virginity. May our women of today especially the youth, see you as a model to imitate and go back to the moral values which is fast eluding the world. St Agatha, continue to pray for us and especially all women who take after your name.
proscovia
3 months ago
oh!!! Lord thanks 4 such faith that St Agatha had, Mother Virgin Mary and st Agatha pray 4 young ladies 2 have faith in Jesus and keep virginity until marriage
Theodora
3 months ago
Saint Agatha, please pray for me and my family. My results are due on Wednesday and I pray they are benign. I am humbled by reading your life story. Please pray for us.
Henry
4 months ago
Dear St Agatha, my mothers name, You are my chosen saint for this New Year. Keep me strong, pure , and courageous like you, Henry.
karen
5 months ago
Please pray for my sister's health St. Agatha.
Agatha
5 months ago
St. Agatha I am totally humbled by your faith, and bearing your name, I ask you to pray for me and my family to be strong in faith, grow in spirit resist the devil and be faithful to God at all times. I thank God for leading me to this site.
Christine
5 months ago
St Agatha please help me. I am afraid and need your guidance and love.
Jerry
7 months ago
St.agatha is sooooo pretty. People fight agenst people that love to read the bible.
Punitha
8 months ago
St.Agatha please pray for me! Help me to live a long life! Make everyone happy
aga
8 months ago
Thank you for this day, St. Agatha. I'm happy and very thankful to know you. Please pray for me and my boyfriend that our relationship will be more stronger as we go on. He is my first boyfriend and I wish to marry him. Please help me pray to God that He will also bless this relationship. Thank you so much.
Agatha
9 months ago
Oh faithful St.Agatha be a friend to the youth especially the female,to over the sin of fornication.St Agatha,Pray 4 us

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