Catholic Heroes . . .
St. Agatha, Virgin And Martyr
By DEB PIROCH
One of the most highly revered saints from the early days of the founding of the Church is St. Agatha, virgin and martyr (c. 231-251). As such, she is one of seven female saints mentioned in the Canon of the Mass. She came from a wealthy Sicilian family and dedicated her virginity to God at the young age of 15, a vow she was determined to keep even when the district governor, a Roman by the name of Quintianus, was determined to marry her. Despite his attempts, she rejected his proposals and so, knowing her to be a Christian, he denounced her during the persecutions of the Roman Emperor Decius.
Decius himself had ordered that all in the Empire must sacrifice to and honor the Roman gods, though he exempted Jews from his commands. He wished to erase Christianity and restore the ancient pagan religion. Though not known with certainty, some say the impetus was also dislike or envy of his predecessor, Philip the Arab, allegedly a Christian.
The most widespread persecution the Church yet known began, and the horrible tortures and martyrdom continued seven years, from AD 250-257, until Decius finally died. There was a seven-year respite before the Emperor Valerian began the next wave of persecution. Because of fear, some renounced the faith, but Pope Fabian, also martyred, did not, nor did St. Agatha. Bishops and priests, in any case, were martyred automatically, given no chance to recant.
St. Agatha was soon subject to these tortures as well. Quintianus, for some odd reason, felt that by sending Agatha to a brothel he could undo her determination to remain chaste. He sent her there for a month, under the care of the madam, appropriately named Aphrodisia. Obviously, this had no chance of working.
Next he had her tortured. It is said she was stretched on a rack, torn with hooks, burnt with torches and whipped. Her breasts were then cut off with pincers. The pain and suffering must have been enormous. Some say the prison was then destroyed by an earthquake in retribution and she was moved to another. St. Peter appeared to her in a vision and healed her, despite her willingness to suffer for God. At some stage she was burned on a bed of coals. Eventually she succumbed to various tortures.
Quintianus, it is said, died while crossing a river — his horse bit him and he fell in and drowned.
There are many churches around the world dedicated to St. Agatha. Because of her history, she is a patron saint of many things: Sicily, breast cancer, rape victims, and even earthquakes.
During the last month, the Sicilian Church of St. Agatha al Colegio in the Italian province of Caltanissetta has twice been vandalized and some of her relics were damaged. Reports are not clear on the nature of the relics. Pictures of the event show that the Blessed Sacrament was desecrated, with Hosts thrown on the floor. Two of the four perpetrators were caught and two remain at large. Other items were stolen and a lot of vandalism done.
A beautiful statue of the Blessed Virgin’s Dormition under an altar behind glass was reached by breaking the glass and her arm was torn away.
There seem to be numerous relics of St. Agatha that have survived and are preserved at various churches. It is unclear which were harmed at the church just mentioned, but luckily most of her relics are not at this location.
What is particularly heinous, besides the sacrilege done to the Blessed Sacrament, is knowing how her relics were treated; her body is incorrupt. As early as the sixth century Pope Gregory the Great had portions of her remains sent to Rome, Capri, and Constantinople. Most of her is said to have been returned to Italy, specifically Catania, Sicily’s cathedral. Her skull and principal relics are contained there in an effigy, crowned with jewels.
While not on display, these are borne in a procession through the streets annually on her feast day. It is said that she rescued Catania within a year of her death when the volcano at Mount Etna burst forth. Natives ran for her veil and, holding it up, it immediately stopped the lava tide. So, she is prayed to in danger from volcanos.
And in medieval art, St. Agatha is frequently holding a platter on which lay her breasts. Additional churches that mark the sites of her imprisonment and death are documented on the website saintsinrome.com.
Today we hear quite a lot about sexual matters, but virtually nothing about the sacred gift of virginity. Satan loves to spread the lie that life without lust or sex is impossible — for instance, surely there would be more priests if they weren’t required to be celibate. But one chooses to remain pure, and St. Thomas Aquinas states that it is the grace of God which makes this possible. Virginity is ordained by one’s station in life, and implies two things; willful avoidance of lust and gratification of sexual desires.
Vows of virginity to God date back to ancient times. After all, Mary intended long before she met Joseph to remain forever virginal. When she was visited by St. Gabriel, and was told she would bear a son, her question was naturally, “How shall this be done, because I know not man?” (Luke 1:34). For Christ to be born of man, He had to be utterly free of any stain of original sin, and born of the most perfect mother that ever was. In fact, He came to offer us the salvation that was lost through the carnal desires that originated with original sin. Thus, He was born of a Virgin!
In perpetual virginity we imitate Christ and His Holy Mother. There is no higher goal. St. Thomas Aquinas assigns those like St. Agatha special rank in the next world in the Summa Theologiae. First St. Agatha chose Christ as her spouse and vowed her perpetual virginity. Then, to remain pure, she not only resisted temptation, but torture and death, rendering her both virgin and martyr. Pure as she was, perhaps no wonder her body was found incorrupt. For so she is now and forever. Let us echo her witness in prayer. Her feast day is celebrated on February 5.
Prayer To St. Agatha
O glorious St. Agatha, who, animated by a burning love for Our Savior, did shine in Holy Church by the splendor of perfect virginity and the practice of the most heroic virtues, obtain for us of Thy divine Spouse the grace to keep ever unsullied the precious treasure of chastity. Help us practice the virtues of our state following Thy footsteps during our life on Earth, so we may, with thee, rejoice in His glory for all eternity. To us sinners also, Thy servants, trusting in the greatness of Thy mercy, grant some part and fellowship with Thy holy Apostles and Martyrs: with John, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas, Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter, Felicitas, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cecelia, Anastasia, and all Thy Saints. . . . Amen.
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