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from the webpage of a Catholic newspaper at ,Catholic Heroes . . . St. Agatha, Virgin And Martyr | The Wanderer Newspaper
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.
Her feast day is celebrated on February 5.
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.
Her feast day is celebrated on February 5.