Who Was Saint Agatha?

Who was Satin Agatha? February 5th is her Feast Day celebrated by the Catholic Church. Let’s take a closer look at who exactly this woman was.

Saint Agatha, also known as Agatha of Sicily, was an early Christian saint and martyr.

Key Points About Saint Agatha:

1. Life and Martyrdom: She is believed to have lived in the 3rd century, around 231-251 AD, in Sicily, Italy. Agatha is said to have dedicated her life to God from a young age. According to legend, she was pursued by a Roman prefect named Quintianus during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Decius. She resisted his attempts to seduce her, which led to her arrest and torture.
2. Torture and Miracles: The stories recount that she was subjected to severe tortures, including having her breasts cut off, which has led to her being one of the patron saints of breast cancer patients. Miraculously, after her death, it is said that her breasts were miraculously restored by Saint Peter in a vision. She was then rolled over hot coals, but survived until her death in prison.
3. Veneration: Saint Agatha is venerated as a martyr in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, and some Protestant denominations. Her feast day is celebrated on February 5th. She is one of the most highly venerated virgin martyrs of Christian antiquity, and her following has been widespread, especially in Sicily.
4. Patronage: Besides being the patron saint of breast cancer patients, she is also the patron saint of bell-founders (because of the shape of her severed breasts likened to bells), bakers (due to a legend where she appeared to stop an eruption of Mount Etna by carrying loaves of bread on her head), and those suffering from fires.
5. Relics: Her relics are said to be housed in various places, but notably, part of her veil is kept in the Cathedral of Catania, Sicily, where she is also the city’s patron saint. Her intercession is believed to have saved Catania from volcanic eruptions of Mount Etna multiple times.

In Conclusion

Saint Agatha’s story combines elements of Christian devotion, martyrdom, and miraculous intervention, making her an enduring figure in Christian hagiography.

On our YouTube page we have a video of a virtual prayer that can be said for those who suffer breast cancer. The video can be found here: Saint Agatha: A Powerful Breast Cancer Healing Prayer