Quencess Desiree L.

Zamora
8 St. Agatha
St. Agatha, also known as Agatha of Sicily,
is one of the most highly venerated virgin
martyrs of the Catholic Church. It is
believed that she was born around 231 in
either Catania or Palermo, Sicily to a rich
and noble family.
She has been honoured since ancient
times, and whose name is included in
the canon of the Canon of the
Mass. Young, beautiful and rich, Agatha
lived a life consecrated to God.
When Decius announced the edicts
against Christians,
the magistrate Quinctianus tried to profit by Agathas sanctity; he planned to
blackmail her into sex in exchange for not charging her. Handed over to a
brothel, she refused to accept customers. After rejecting Quinctianuss
advances, she was beaten, imprisoned, tortured, her breasts were crushed
and cut off. She told the judge, Cruel man, have you forgotten your mother
and the breast that nourished you, that you dare to mutilate me this way?
One version has it that St. Peter healed her. She was
then imprisoned again, then rolled on live coals; when she was near death,
an earthquake stuck. In the destruction that followed, a friend of
the magistrate was crushed, and the magistrate fled. Agatha thanked God
for an end to her pain, and died. She died 251 A.D in Catania.
The year after her death, the stilling of an eruption of Mt. Etna was attributed
to her intercession. As a result, apparently, people continued to ask her
prayer for protection against fire. She was claimed as the patroness of both
Palermo and Catania. Saint Agatha was not canonized, but proclaimed as a
saint by early Christians because of her Martyrdom.
She is the patron saint of breast cancer, bell-founders, nurses, rape and
torture victims. She is also considered to be powerful intercessor when
people suffer from fires. Her feast day is celebrated on February 5.
Quencess Desiree L. Zamora
8 St. Agatha

Mathematics
2
Quencess Desiree L. Zamora
8 St. Agatha

Mrs. Helen V. Lopez

(Subject Teacher)
Quencess Desiree L. Zamora
8 St. Agatha