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Agatha of Sicily

From Wikiquote
Francisco de Zurbarán: Hl. Agatha (1630–1633)

Agatha of Sicily (c. 231 – c. 251 AD) is a Christian saint. Her feast is on 5 February. Agatha was born in Catania, part of the Roman Province of Sicily, and was martyred c. 251. She is one of several virgin martyrs who are commemorated by name in the Canon of the Mass.

Agatha is the patron saint of Catania, Molise, Malta, San Marino, Gallipoli in Apulia, and Zamarramala, a municipality of the Province of Segovia in Spain. She is also the patron saint of breast cancer patients, rape victims, martyrs, wet nurses, bell-founders, and bakers, and is invoked against fire, earthquakes, and eruptions of Mount Etna.

Quotes

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  • [Italian graphic novelist Fabia] Mustica recounts a promise made to Agatha years ago, following the moment her cherished cousin awoke from a deep coma caused by a car accident. This event coincided with the night the hospital chaplain circulated the Veil of Saint Agatha in the intensive care unit. This relic, treasured by the residents of Catania, is believed to be the same veil that endured while her tormentor, Quintianus, forced Agatha to walk over scorching coals and burn.
    Mustica vowed to dedicate a graphic novel to the saint. However, distracted by her busy life, she delayed fulfilling this promise until the saint reminded her during her prayer before her statue in Catania Cathedral.
  • Lucy, a noble maiden from Syracuse, having heard of Saint Agatha's fame throughout Sicily, went to her tomb with her mother Euticia, who had been suffering from blood loss for four years and whom the doctors had been unable to cure. It so happened that during the celebration of Mass that day, the passage from the Gospel was read in which it is said that the Lord healed a woman from that same illness. Lucia then said to her mother: ‘If you believe what has been read, believe that Agatha always has beside her the one for whom she suffered martyrdom. Therefore, if you touch her tomb with faith, you will immediately regain your health.’
    When everyone had left, the mother and daughter remained in prayer at the tomb. Lucia fell asleep and saw Agatha before her, adorned with precious stones, surrounded by angels, who said to her: 'My sister Lucy, virgin devoted to God, why do you ask me for what you yourself could obtain for your mother? Behold, thanks to your faith, she is healed.
  • [5 February] Memorial of Saint Agatha, virgin and martyr, who, while still young, preserved the purity of her body and the integrity of her faith during the persecution in Catania, Sicily, offering her testimony for Christ the Lord.
  • He visited the main church dedicated to Saint Agatha, whose choir features forty-two beautifully carved images depicting the life of the saint, culminating in her coronation by Christ and Mary. The seats in the apse can accommodate sixteen clergymen, all of whom must be of noble birth and receive an annual income of one hundred and fifty scudi. In the church, which is long and narrow in shape, there is a chapel where the body of Saint Agatha is kept, securely closed by two doors, one made of iron and the other of copper, with eight different locks. The ceiling is decorated with ancient but still splendid paintings depicting the sufferings of Christ. The church has a beautiful bell tower with a melodious bell, which can be reached after climbing two hundred and forty-two steps.
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