From: rich <
richarra@gmail.com>
February 5th - Saint Agatha of Sicily, Virgin Martyr
(born unknown, deceased 251)
=C2 Like Saint Agnes, Saint Agatha endured torture, imprisonment,
persecution, and death at a very young age, all the while withstanding
the pressure of society and those in power to conform. Rather, she
dedicated her life, her heart, and her entire body to Christ,
willingly suffering for Him and witnessing to many in the process. She
is one of seven women, excluding Mary, Our Blessed Mother and Virgin, commemorated by name in the Canon of the Mass.
Little is known about the details of Agatha's life, although her
persecution and death are well established. 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. Despite societal
expectations at that time, and the prohibition against and persecution
of Christianity by Emperor Decius, Agatha's family were supportive =
of
her choice and did not attempt to make her marry as was customary.
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. One such suitor, the magistrate
Quinctianus, looked to use the active persecution of Christians to his advantage, attempting to blackmail the young Agatha into marrying him.
If she refused him, she would be imprisoned and tried as a Christian,
an enemy of the Emperor Decius. Agatha refused, and was imprisoned,
first in a brothel where she survived for a month without losing her
purity. Brought back before Quinctianus, Agatha was observed to pray,
rather than be afraid. She prayed, "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."
Agatha was thrown into prison following severe torture during which
her breasts were both crushed and then severed from her body. To her persecutor, she is reported to have said, "Cruel man, have you
forgotten your mother and the breast that nourished you, that you dare
to mutilate me this way?" In early artistic renderings, Saint Agatha
is oftentimes seen carrying her severed breasts on a silver tray. She
is currently the patron saint of those with breast cancer.
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,
dislodging nearby buildings and wounding those who wished to harm her.
However, Agatha was quite wounded, and prayed, "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."
She died shortly thereafter, having been again imprisoned.
Numerous miracles have been attributed to the intercession of Saint
Agatha, including averted eruptions of Mount Etna. The faith, carrying
her veil, taken from her tomb in Catania, in procession have averted
eruptions of Mount Etna. Her intercession is reported to have also
saved Malta from Turkish invasion in 1551.
Saint Agatha inspires us to look beyond our physical selves to a much
deeper communion with the Lord, the Blessed Mother, and the Saints.
Even in her most desperate of times, maimed and tortured, she remained
pure and virtuous, beautiful of faith and spirit, and courageous of
will. Agatha's interior world, a world consecrated to the Lord, was
never touched by the cruelty of those who persecuted her. Her reliance
on Jesus is remarkable given her age and that which she endured. Her
sufferings make our daily complaints seem somewhat insignificant upon reflection, and yet, even with our difficulties, we have a hard time
turning to God, putting our faith in Him, and trusting in His plan and protection. Perhaps that is the message of Saint Agatha=E2=80=94complete lo=
ve
and trust for the Lord, acceptance of His will, and embracing of human suffering for Him.
Reflection. Purity is a gift of God: we can gain it and preserve it
only by care and diligence in avoiding all that may prove an incentive
to sin.
Saint Quotes:
Jesus Christ, Lord of all things! You see my heart, you know my
desires. Possess all that I am - you alone. I am your sheep; make me
worthy to overcome the devil.
--Saint Agatha
Lord, my creator, you have protected me since I was in the cradle. You
have taken me from the love of the world and given me patience to
suffer. Now receive my spirit.
--Saint Agatha
<><><><>
Oh St. Agatha, who withstood the unwelcome advances from unwanted
suitors, and suffered pain and torture for her devotion to Our Lord,
we celebrate your faith, dignity and martyrdom.
Protect all against rape and other violations, guard all against
breast cancer and other afflictions, and inspire all to overcome
adversity.
Oh St. Agatha, virgin and martyr, mercifully grant that we who
venerate your sacrifice, may receive your intercession. Amen.
--- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
* Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)