Saint Agatha Feast day 5th February

Saint Agatha of Sicily (c.231-251 AD) is a Christine saint. She was born in Catania or Palermo in Sicily.

According tot the 13th century Golden Legend by Jacbus de Voragine, Agatha, aged 15, from a rich and noble family made a vow of virginity.

She rejected the amorous advances and persistent proposals of marriage to the Roman prefect Quintianus.
This was during the persecutions of emperor Decius so he reported her to the authorities for being a Christian. In the first place, to force her to change her mind, He imprisoned her in a brothel but Agatha never lost her confidence in God.
He tried again. On being rejected he had her imprisoned and tortured - this included cutting off her breasts with pincers.
He then sentenced her to be burnt at the stake but an earthquake saved her from that fate.

Although her martyrdom is authenticated there is no reliable information concerning her death. She may have died in prison aged just 20. She is buried at the Badia di Sant’Agata, Catania.

Her patronage is wide -these are examples.
She is the patron saint of breast cancer patients and earthquakes
She is the patron saint of Catania, Malta, Molise, San Marino, Gallipoli and Zamarramala.

The tradition of making shaped pastry on the feast of St Agatha-5th February,
such as Agatha breads or buns Breasts of St. Agatha is found in many countries.

Saint Agatha of Sicily is one of the most highly venerated virgin martyrs of Christian history. She is one of several martyrs who are commemorated in the Canon of the Mass.