+ The only facts we know about St. Agatha are that she was born and died in Sicily in the third century. Other than that there is purposeful legend which is harmless if it encourages virtuous living and increased faith in Jesus Christ. The legend of St. Agatha, like St. Agnes, another very early virgin martyr of the Church, is that while supposedly born into a rich and important family, she dedicated her life to God at an early age, claiming Jesus as the sole focus of her life, thus foregoing anything having to do with marriage and the gift of sex that resides in marriage! Others, however, had other ideas for Agatha – including men who were influential in public standing and had some political weight to throw around. When they tried to persuade Agatha to break her vows to the Lord, she flatly refused. Even when tortured she would not give in. Finally she was put to death for her faith in Jesus and the promise she made to him to be his bride alone. It is interesting to note, during this Breast Cancer Awareness Month that, as part of her torture, St. Agatha had her breasts cut off – and is depicted as carrying them on a tray to present to the Lord. She is most certainly a patron saint of women's health – especially breast cancer. May she be invoked and prayed to often as such.
In the first reading today we see how God chooses the weak to confound and humble the haughty and the mighty. This young Sicilian girl named Agatha certainly did that! The gospel passage was no doubt comforting to Agatha in her trials: whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; take up your cross and follow in my footsteps; what profit would be a moment of illicit pleasure in the face of losing everything forever as a result of it?
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of God rests upon you. St. Agatha, pray for us!
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