Saint Agatha is revered as an early Christian martyr and is the patron Saint of people who have breast cancer.
Saint Agatha is revered as an early Christian martyr and is the patron Saint of people who have breast cancer.I have been reading a little about Saint Agatha.
During the fourth century, Saint Agatha was approached by a Roman Prefect who wanted to have a romantic relationship with her. Saint Agatha, who had pledged her virginity to God at a young age, refused his advances and instead spoke to him about Christianity. The soldier was offended by this rejection by the Saint and retaliated by arranging the torture and eventual death of the girl.
In iconography dedicated to the Saint, she is depicted having her breasts cut off. This was one part of the torture she endured. The Saint’s breasts were cut off and then she was imprisoned again. While in prison the Saint experienced a vision of Saint Peter, who prayed for and with her and through those prayer her wounds were healed.
Later she was brought to the stake to be burned at the stake. However, legend has it that when the fire was to be lit there was an earthquake and the fire could not be lit. Instead – legend has it – that the people rebelled and demanded that the execution not take place, and instead, the Saint was returned to prison, where she later died.
Saint Agatha is revered as an early Christian martyr and is the patron Saint of people who have breast cancer.
And I have been thinking about that Saint today. You see, even from an early age she was able to stand firm for her faith and for her God. Her commitment to God Himself through her pledge of virginity was more important to her than the quality and safety she could have in her earthly life. And though that sounds very noble in theory, in practice it would have been a terrible thing.
Just imagine how it would have felt for that young girl not only to have fought off the advances of a man with whom she did not wish to have a physical connection with, but to then suffer through his rage. Imagine how frightening it would have been when the soldiers came to her home to arrest her. Imagine how her heart must have raced as they accused her of terrible things and put her into a dirty dark prison. Imagine how her heart would have broken to know that her mother and father would be suffering with worry at home for her. Imagine how she must have shaken as they tied her up. Imagine her screams of pain as they amputated her breasts. Imagine her shame at having her breasts exposed to people, when she had fought so hard for her virginity and chastity and morals.
And when I imagine that today, it occurs to me that there are thousands and thousands of Saints who have been given to me by God as an example of how to be brave in the face of terrible terrible torture and fear. And seeing my simple and comfortable life, it occurs to me that I have a great deal to learn…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.
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