Tag: stagatha

Posted in LENT, MARIAN TITLES, MARTYRS, SAINT of the DAY

Septuagesima Sunday, Dedication of the first Church of Our Lady, by St Peter – Tortosa, Italy, St Agatha Virgin Martyr and Memorials of the Saints – 5 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Septuagesima Sunday:
The word “Septuagesima” is Latin for “Seventieth.”
It is both the name of the Liturgical Season and the name of the Sunday.
Septuagesima Sunday marks the beginning of the shortest Liturgical Season.
This Season is seventeen (17) days long and includes the three Sundays before Ash Wednesday.
The length of the Season never changes but the start date is dependent on the movable date of Easter, which can fall between 22 March-25 April.
Septuagesima Sunday can be as early as 18 January.

EPSON MFP image

Dom Prosper Guéranger OSB (1805-1875) Abbot of Solesmes from 1837-1875, devoted a whole volume of his great work – The Liturgical Year, to Septuagesima. In his Preface, Dom Guéranger referred to Septuagesima as a Season of “transition, inasmuch as it includes the period between two important Seasons – Christmas and Lent. … The Church, therefore, has instituted a preparation for the holy time of Lent. She gives us the three weeks of Septuagesima, during which she withdraws us, as much as may be, from the noisy distractions of the world, in order that our hearts may be the more readily impressed by the solemn warning she is to give us, at the commencement of Lent, by marking our foreheads with ashes.”
The Septuagesima Season helps the faithful ease into Lent. It is a gradual preparation for the serious time of penance and sorrow; to remind the sinner of the grievousness of his errors and to exhort him to penance.
Liturgically it looks very much like Lent. The Gloria and Alleluia are omitted, the tone becomes penitential with the Priest wearing Purple Vestments.
The main difference is that there are no fasting requirements.

Dedication of the first Church of Our Lady, by St Peter – Tortosa, Italy – 5 February:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/05/dedication-of-the-first-church-of-our-lady-by-st-peter-tortosa-and-memorials-of-the-saints-5-february/

St Agatha (c 231- c 251) Virgin Martyr
Her Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/02/05/saint-of-the-day-st-agatha-c-231-c-251-virgin-and-martyr/

St Philip of Jesus (1572-1597) Martyr
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/05/saint-of-the-day-5-february-st-philip-of-jesus-1572-1597/

St Adelaide of Guelders (c 970–1015) Abbess, Apostle of Charity, Miracle-worker, Reformer, Counsellor to the Archbishop of Cologne.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/02/05/saint-of-the-day-5-february-st-adelaide-of-guelders-c-970-1015/

St Agatha Hildegard of Carinthia
St Agricola of Tongres

St Albinus of Brixen (Died 1005) Bishop of Brixen, Advisor to both Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire.
The Roman Martyrology: states: “In Bressanone (Brixen) in South Tyrol, commemoration of St Albuino, Bishop, who transferred the Episcopal Chair from Sabion to this seat.”
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/05/saint-of-the-day-5-february-saint-albinus-of-brixen-died-1005/

St Anthony of Athens

St Avitus of Vienne (c 450-c 518) Bishop of Vienne, Poet, Confessor and Defender of the Mysteries of the Faith against heretics, writer.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/05/saint-of-the-day-5-february-saint-avitus-of-vienne-c-450-c-518-bishop/

St Bertulph c640-c705) Abbot
St Buo of Ireland
St Calamanda of Calaf
St Dominica of Shapwick
St Fingen of Metz
Bl Françoise Mézière
St Gabriel de Duisco
St Genuinus of Sabion
St Indract
St Isidore of Alexandria
St Jesús Méndez-Montoya
Bl John Morosini
St Kichi Franciscus
St Modestus of Carinthia

Bl Primo Andrés Lanas
St Saba the Younger
St Vodoaldus of Soissons

Martyrs of Pontus: An unknown number of Christians who were tortured and martyred in assorted painful ways in the region of Pontus (in modern Turkey) during the persecutions of Maximian.

The Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan: 26 Saints – the First Martyrs of Japan. Martyred on 5 February 1597 by Crucifixion, also known as Pedro Bautista Blasquez y Blasquez and 22 companions, along with Paulus Miki and 2 companions, were Beatified on 14 September 1627 by Pope Urban VIII, and Canonised on 8 June 1862 by Pope Pius IX.

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Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARTYRS, QUOTES on CHASTITY, SAINT of the DAY, The KINGDOM of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 5 February – “Let him accept it who can..” – Matthew 19:12

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One Minute Reflection – 5 February – St Agatha (c 231- c 251) Virgin and Martyr – 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Matthew 19:3-12

“For there are eunuchs who were born so, from their mother’s womb and there are eunuchs who were made so, by men and there are eunuchs who have made themselves so, for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let him accept it who can..” – Matthew 19:12.

REFLECTION – “There are three kinds of eunuchs, two carnal and the third spiritual. One group are those who are born this way. Another are those who are made into eunuchs by captivity or for pleasuring older women. The third are those who “have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven” and who become eunuchs for Christ, although they could be whole men. The last group are promised the reward. The other two, for whom chastity is not a matter of willing but necessity, are due nothing at all. We can put it another way. There are eunuchs from birth, who are of a rather frigid nature and not inclined to lust. There are others, who are made eunuchs by men, those who are made so by philosophers, others who are made weak toward sex from their worship of idols and still others, who by heretical persuasion feign chastity, so as to falsely claim the truth of religion. None of the above is receptive to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Only the person, who for Christ, seeks chastity wholeheartedly and cuts off sexual impurity altogether, [is the genuine eunuch]. So he adds, “He who is able to receive this, let him receive it,” so that each of us should look to his own strength, as to whether he can carry out the commands of virginity and chastity. Chastity in itself is agreeable and alluring but one must look to one’s strength, so that “he who is able to receive this may receive it.” It is as if the Lord with His words, were urging on His soldiers to the reward of chastity, with these words – He who is able to receive this, let him receive it; he who is able to fight, let him fight and conquer.” – St Jerome (343-420) Translator of Sacred Scripture (the Vulgate), Father and one of the original four Doctors of the Latin Church (Commentary on Matthew 3).

PRAYER – O God, Who among other wonders of Your power have given the victory of martyrdom even to the gentler sex, graciously grant that we, who commemorate the anniversary of the death of blessed Agatha, Your Virgin and Martyr, may come to You by following her example. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, MARTYRS, SAINT of the DAY

Dedication of the first Church of Our Lady, by St Peter and Memorials of the Saints – 5 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Dedication of the first Church of Our Lady, by St Peter – Tortosa, Italy – 5 February:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/05/dedication-of-the-first-church-of-our-lady-by-st-peter-tortosa-and-memorials-of-the-saints-5-february/

St Agatha (c 231- c 251) (Memorial) Virgin Martyr
All about St Agatha:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/02/05/saint-of-the-day-st-agatha-c-231-c-251-virgin-and-martyr/

St Adelaide of Guelders (c 970–1015) Abbess, Apostle of Charity, Miracle-worker, Reformer, Counsellor to the Archbishop of Cologne.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/02/05/saint-of-the-day-5-february-st-adelaide-of-guelders-c-970-1015/

St Agatha Hildegard of Carinthia
St Agricola of Tongres
St Albinus of Brixen (Died 1005) Bishop
St Anthony of Athens

St Avitus of Vienne (c 450-c 518) Bishop of Vienne, Poet, Confessor and Defender of the Mysteries of the Faith against heretics, writer.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/05/saint-of-the-day-5-february-saint-avitus-of-vienne-c-450-c-518-bishop/

St Bertulph
St Buo of Ireland
St Calamanda of Calaf
St Dominica of Shapwick
St Fingen of Metz
Bl Françoise Mézière
St Gabriel de Duisco
St Genuinus of Sabion
St Indract
St Isidore of Alexandria
St Jesús Méndez-Montoya
Bl John Morosini
St Kichi Franciscus
St Luca di Demenna
St Modestus of Carinthia

St Philip of Jesus (1572-1597) Martyr, Missionary, Discalced Friar of the Reformed Franciscans of the Province of St Didacus, founded in Mexico by St Peter Baptista, with whom he suffered Martyrdom.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/05/saint-of-the-day-5-february-st-philip-of-jesus-1572-1597/

Bl Primo Andrés Lanas
St Saba the Younger
St Vodoaldus of Soissons

Martyrs of Pontus: An unknown number of Christians who were tortured and martyred in assorted painful ways in the region of Pontus (in modern Turkey) during the persecutions of Maximian.

The Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan: 26 Saints – the First Martyrs of Japan. Martyred on 5 February 1597 by Crucifixion, also known as Pedro Bautista Blasquez y Blasquez and 22 companions, along with Paulus Miki and 2 companions, were Beatified on 14 September 1627 by Pope Urban VIII, and Canonised on 8 June 1862 by Pope Pius IX.

Posted in MARTYRS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 5 February – St Agatha

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 5 February – The Memorial of St Agatha (c 231- c 251) Virgin Martyr

“My fellow Christians, our annual celebration
of a Martyr’s feast, has brought us together.
Agatha achieved renown in the early Church
for her noble victory.
… For her, Christ’s death was recent,
His blood was still moist.
Her robe is the mark of her faithful witness to Christ.
Agatha, the name of our saint, means “good.”
She was truly good, for she lived as a child of God.
Agatha, her goodness coincides with her name
and her way of life. She won a good name
by her noble deeds and by her name,
she points to the nobility of those deeds.
Agatha, her mere name wins all men over to her company.
She teaches them by her example,
to hasten with her to the true Good, God alone.”

“The woman who invites us to this banquet
is both a wife and virgin.
To use the analogy of Paul,
she is the bride who has been betrothed
to one husband, Christ.
A true virgin, she wore the glow of pure conscience
and the crimson of the Lamb’s blood for her cosmetics.”

St Methodius of Sicily (c 788-c 847)
From a homily on Saint Agatha

St Agatha’s Words here:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/02/05/quote-s-of-the-day-5-february-the-memorial-of-st-agatha-c-231-c-251/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARTYRS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, SAINT of the DAY, St JOHN the BAPTIST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 5 February – ‘Learn to think and live like a Christian.’ Mark 6:14-29

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 5 February – Friday of the Fourth Week of Ordinary Time, Readings: Hebrews 13:1-8, Psalms 27:1, 3, 5,8-9, Mark 6:14-29 and the Memorial of St Agatha (c 231- c 251) Virgin Martyr

“He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother.” … Mark 6:28

REFLECTION – “In what way, then, was this just man harmed by this demise, this violent death, these chains, this imprisonment? Who are those he did not set back on their feet — provided they had a penitent disposition — because of what he spoke, because of what he suffered, because of what he still proclaims in our own day — the same message he preached while he was living. Therefore, do not say: “Why was John allowed to die?” For what occurred was not a death but a crown, not an end but the beginning of a greater life.

Learn to think and live like a Christian. You will not only remain unharmed by these events but will reap the greatest benefits.” … St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father & Doctor – On the Providence of God, 22.

PRAYER – Increase in us, O Lord, the gift of faith, so that we may arise and offer our praise to You and by Your grace, yield fruit from heaven, for the glory of Your Kingdom. Lord God, let St Agatha, who became precious in Your sight through her pure life and valiant martyrdom, plead for our forgiveness. For, with joy and rejoicing, as though to a feast, St Agatha, went to prison and offered her sufferings to You, with many prayers. Through Jesus Christ, Your divine Son, in unity with the Spirit, one God forever. St Agatha, pray for us, amen.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, MARTYRS, SAINT of the DAY

Dedication of the first Church of Our Lady, by St Peter – Tortosa, Italy and Memorials of the Saints- 5 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Dedication of the first Church of Our Lady, by St Peter – Tortosa, Italy – 5 February:

The Abbot Orsini wrote: “Dedication of the first Church of Our Lady, by Saint Peter, Tortosa, Italy”
The first Church dedicated to Our Lady by Saint Peter the Apostle was not actually in Italy, as the good Abbot stated but in the City of Tartus, Syria. The City of Tartus was known as Tortosa to the Crusaders, who lived in the region during the time of the Crusades. The Cathedral of Our Lady of Tortosa, built in the year 1123 by these Crusaders, still stands on the site of the original Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin that was dedicated by Saint Peter. It is remembered, that the Emperor Constantine looked favourably upon the City because of his love for the Blessed Virgin Mary and the devotion to her by the faithful at Tortosa.
By all appearances, the Church of Our Lady was as much of a fortress as it was a Church and indeed, there were once towers surrounding the structure, two of which have survived the centuries. The façade of the Church, which appears almost Romanesque in style, has five arched window openings that are well above ground level and, there is a centrally located doorway. Once inside, however, the structure looks more like a Church, as there are graceful arches, columns and a vaulted ceiling. It is thought by many historians, to be the best-preserved structure of a religious nature dating from the time of the Crusades.
Since the Church doubled as a fortification, the Crusaders were able to hold it, even after Tortosa was taken by Saladin in the year 1188. Saladin, who was able to unify the warring Muslim factions, made them into a robust army and won an important battle at Hattin over the Crusaders, capturing nearly all of their holdings, save for those near the coasts. The Knights Templar continued to use the Church as a kind of headquarters until the year 1291, when it was also taken.
Once captured by the Mameluke’s, the Church was turned into a mosque. Later, under the Ottoman Empire, the Church was used as a place of storage. The Church was recently renovated, although now it is used only as a Museum.

St Agatha (c 231- c 251) (Memorial)
All about St Agatha:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/02/05/saint-of-the-day-st-agatha-c-231-c-251-virgin-and-martyr/

St Adelaide of Guelders (c 970–1015)
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/02/05/saint-of-the-day-5-february-st-adelaide-of-guelders-c-970-1015/

St Agatha Hildegard of Carinthia
St Agricola of Tongres
St Albinus of Brixen
St Anthony of Athens
St Avitus of Vienne (c 450-c 518) Bishop
St Bertulph
St Buo of Ireland
St Calamanda of Calaf
St Dominica of Shapwick
St Fingen of Metz
Bl Françoise Mézière
St Gabriel de Duisco
St Genuinus of Sabion
St Indract
St Isidore of Alexandria
St Jesús Méndez-Montoya
Bl John Morosini
St Kichi Franciscus
St Luca di Demenna
St Modestus of Carinthia
St Philip of Jesus (1572-1597) Martyr
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/05/saint-of-the-day-5-february-st-philip-of-jesus-1572-1597/
Bl Primo Andrés Lanas
St Saba the Younger
St Vodoaldus of Soissons
—
Martyrs of Pontus: An unknown number of Christians who were tortured and martyred in assorted painful ways in the region of Pontus (in modern Turkey) during the persecutions of Maximian.

Posted in MARTYRS, SAINT of the DAY

Memorials of the Saints – 5 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

St Agatha (c 231- c 251) (Memorial)
All about St Agatha:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/02/05/saint-of-the-day-st-agatha-c-231-c-251-virgin-and-martyr/

St Adelaide of Guelders (c 970–1015)
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/02/05/saint-of-the-day-5-february-st-adelaide-of-guelders-c-970-1015/

St Agatha Hildegard of Carinthia
St Agricola of Tongres
St Albinus of Brixen
St Anthony of Athens
St Avitus of Vienne
St Bertulph
St Buo of Ireland
St Calamanda of Calaf
St Dominica of Shapwick
St Fingen of Metz
Bl Françoise Mézière
St Gabriel de Duisco
St Genuinus of Sabion
St Indract
St Isidore of Alexandria
St Jesús Méndez-Montoya
Bl John Morosini
St Kichi Franciscus
St Luca di Demenna
St Modestus of Carinthia
St Philip of Jesus (1572-1597) Martyr
Bl Primo Andrés Lanas
St Saba the Younger
St Vodoaldus of Soissons
—
Martyrs of Pontus: An unknown number of Christians who were tortured and martyred in assorted painful ways in the region of Pontus (in modern Turkey) during the persecutions of Maximian.

Posted in MARTYRS, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 5 February – The Memorial of St Agatha (c 231- c 251)

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 5 February – Tuesday of the Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Gospel: Mark 5:21–43 and

Agatha, is claimed as the patroness of both Palermo and Catania.   The year after her death, the stilling of an eruption of Mount Etna was attributed to her intercession.   As a result, people continue to ask her prayers for protection, against fire.

St Agatha gave herself without reserve to Jesus Christ, she followed Him in virginal purity and then looked to Him for protection.   And down to this day, Christ has shown His tender regard for her mortal remains – again and again, during the eruptions of Mount Etna, the people of Catania have exposed her relics for public veneration and thus experienced safety.   In modern times, on opening her tomb in which her body lies waiting for the resurrection, her skin has been found to be intact, a sweet fragrance emanating from this temple of the Holy Spirit.

The scientific modern mind winces at the thought of a volcano’s might being contained by God because of the prayers of a Sicilian girl.   Still less welcome, probably, is the notion of that saint being the patroness of such varied professions as those of foundry workers, nurses, miners and Alpine guides.   Yet, in our historical precision, have we lost an essential human quality of wonder and poetry and even our belief that we come to God by helping each other, both in action and prayer?   And, far more than this, from where did it all come from in the first place and, you and I, in and by what power are we upheld?

Jesus Christ, Lord of all things! 
You see my heart, You know my desires. 
Possess all that I am – You alone. 
I am Your sheep.
Make me worthy to overcome the devil.

(Prayer of St Agatha)jesus-christlord-of-all-things-st-agatha-5-feb-2018.jpg

St Agatha, Pray for Us!st agatha pray for us 5 feb 2019 no 2.jpg

Posted in MARTYRS, MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 5 February – The Memorial of St Agatha (c 231- c 251)

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 5 February – The Memorial of St Agatha (c 231- c 251)

Female saints were numerous in the early Church and the cruelties these saints suffered for their faith encouraged many others to go to their martyrdom.   These early witnesses to the faith became the great Christian heroes and heroines and their zeal did a great deal to cement and establish the faith.   Many. like St Agatha, suffered centuries ago but their memory is kept fresh, as if they had died yesterday.   As is common in the story of man, we learn not from our past, persecutions against Christians seems to constantly rear it’s ugly head – now we suffer too and our women are under a great attack in the modern world.   Let us call on Agatha to be with us, to pray for us all and in particular to pray that all Christian women, may protect their purity and chastity.

St Agatha, pray for us!

The incorrupt body of St Agatha was transferred to Constantinople in the 11th century and then returned to Catania.   The body is now preserved in different reliquaries.   “The arms, legs, and breasts are preserved in a glass case in an incorrupt condition, although rather dried and dark after more than 17 centuries.   The skull and principal relics are at Catania, enclosed in an effigy on which rests a costly jeweled crown.   The reliquary consists of the figure of the Saint from the head to the waist and is situated in an upright position.   The figure is entirely covered with precious gems, rings, bracelets, pins, chains, and jeweled flowers and crosses…”st agatha -No 2 - pray for us 5 feb 2018

Posted in MARTYRS, MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 5 February – The Memorial of St Agatha (c 231- c 251)

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 5 February – The Memorial of St Agatha (c 231- c 251)

Jesus Christ, Lord of all things!
You see my heart, You know my desires.
Possess all that I am – You alone.
I am Your sheep.
Make me worthy to overcome the devil.jesus christ,lord of all things - st agatha - 5 feb 2018

Lord, my Creator,
You have protected me
since I was in the cradle.
You have taken me
from the love of the world
and given me patience to suffer.
Now receive my spirit.

St Agatha (c 231- c 251)lord, my creator - st agatha - 5 feb 2018

“She teaches
by her example,
to hasten to the true Good –
God alone.”

St Methodius of Sicily (c 788-c 847)
from a homily on St Agathast agatha - ora pro nobis - 5 feb 2018

Posted in MARTYRS, MORNING Prayers, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 5 February – The Memorial of St Agatha (c 231- c 251)

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 5 February – The Memorial of St Agatha (c 231- c 251)

Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong…1 Corinthians 1:27

REFLECTION – “My fellow Christians, our annual celebration of a martyr’s feast has brought us together.   Agatha achieved renown in the early Church for her noble victory. For her, Christ’s death was recent, His blood was still moist.   Her robe is the mark of her faithful witness to Christ.   Agatha, the name of our saint, means “good.”   She was truly good, for she lived as a child of God.   Agatha, her goodness coincides with her name and her way of life.   She won a good name by her noble deeds and by her name she points to the nobility of those deeds.   Agatha, her mere name wins all men over to her company. She teaches them by her example, to hasten with her to the true Good, God alone.” – from a homily on Saint Agatha by Saint Methodius of Sicily (c 788-c 847)agatha, the name of our saint - st methodius of sicily - 5 feb 2018

PRAYER – Lord God, let St Agatha, who became precious in Your sight through her pure life and valiant martyrdom, plead for our forgiveness.   For, with joy and rejoicing, as though to a feast, St Agatha, went to prison and offered her sufferings to You, with many prayers.   Through Jesus Christ, Your divine Son, in unity with the Spirit, one God forever. St Agatha, pray for us, amen.st agatha - pray for us 5 feb 2018

Posted in MARTYRS, PATRONAGE - BREAST CANCER, BREAST DISEASES, PATRONAGE - HOSPITALS, NURSES, NURSING ASSOCIATIONS, PATRONAGE - RAPE VICTIMS, PATRONAGE - SINGLE LAYWOMEN, PATRONAGE - STORMS, EARTHQUAKES, FIRES, DROUGHT / NATURAL DISASTERS, PATRONAGE-INFERTILITY & SAFE CHILDBIRTH, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Saint of the Day – 5 February – St Agatha (c 231- c 251) Virgin and Martyr

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 5 February – St Agatha (c 231- c 251) Virgin and Martyr.   St Agatha was born at Catania or Palermo, Sicily and she was martyred in approximately 251 at Catania, Sicily by being rolled on coals.   She is one of seven women, who, along with the Blessed Virgin Mary, are commemorated by name in the Canon of the Mass.   Patronages – against breast cancer, against breast disease, against earthquakes, against eruptions of Mount Etna, against fire, against natural disasters, against sterility, against volcanic eruptions, of bell-founders, fire prevention, jewellers, martyrs, nurses, rape victims, single laywomen, torture victims, wet-nurses, Malta, San Marino, 64 Cities.

st agatha header 2

One of the most highly venerated virgin martyrs of Christian antiquity, Agatha was put to death during the persecution of Decius (250–253) in Catania, Sicily, for her determined profession of faith.   Her written legend comprises “straightforward accounts of interrogation, torture, resistance and triumph which constitute some of the earliest hagiographic literature”.   Although the martyrdom of Saint Agatha is authenticated and her veneration as a saint had spread beyond her native place even in antiquity, there is no reliable information concerning the details of her death.

Cavallino, Bernardo; St Agatha; York Museums Trust; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/st-agatha-7795

According to Jacobus de Voragine, Golden Legend of c 1288, having dedicated her virginity to God, fifteen-year-old Agatha, from a rich and noble family, rejected the amorous advances of the low-born Roman prefect Quintianus, who then persecuted her for her Christian faith.   He sent Agatha to Aphrodisia, the keeper of a brothel.   The madam finding her intractable, Quintianus sent for her, argued, threatened and finally had her put in prison.   Amongst the tortures she underwent was the cutting off of her breasts with pincers.

ST AGATHA - LGst agatha 3saint-agatha-francesco-guarino

After further dramatic confrontations with Quintianus, represented in a sequence of dialogues in her passio that document her fortitude and steadfast devotion, Saint Agatha was then sentenced to be burnt at the stake but an earthquake saved her from that fate; instead, she was sent to prison where St Peter the Apostle appeared to her and healed her wounds. Saint Agatha died in prison, according to the Legenda Aurea in “the year of our Lord two hundred and fifty-three in the time of Decius, the emperor of Rome.”

Saint Agatha is a patron saint of Malta, where in 1551 her intercession through a reported apparition to a Benedictine nun is said to have saved Malta from Turkish invasion.   Agatha is the patron saint of bell-founders because of the shape of her severed breasts and also of bakers, whose loaves were blessed at her feast day.   More recently, she has been venerated as patron saint of breast cancer patients. She is claimed as the patroness of Palermo.   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 prayers for protection against fire.

Agatha is buried at the Badia di Sant’Agata, Catania.   She is listed in the late 6th-century Martyrologium Hieronymianum associated with Jerome and the Synaxarion, the calendar of the church of Carthage, ca. 530.438px-Catania's_duomo_and_balloons

Two early churches were dedicated to her in Rome, notably the Church of Sant’Agata dei Goti in Via Mazzarino, a titular church with apse mosaics of c 460 and traces of a fresco cycle, overpainted by Gismondo Cerrini in 1630.   Agatha is also depicted in the mosaics of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna, where she appears, richly dressed, in the procession of female martyrs along the north wall.

Basques have a tradition of gathering on Saint Agatha’s Eve (Basque: Santa Ageda bezpera) and going round the village. Homeowners can choose to hear a song about her life, accompanied by the beats of their walking sticks on the floor or a prayer for the household’s deceased.   After that, the homeowner donates food to the chorus.[25] This song has varying lyrics according to the local tradition and the Basque language.

An annual festival to commemorate the life of Saint Agatha takes place in Catania, Sicily, from February 3 to 5.   The festival culminates in a great all-night procession through the city for which hundreds of thousands of the city’s residents turn out.catania_i_cannalori

St Agatha’s Tower is a former Knight’s stronghold located in the north west of Malta.  The seventeenth-century tower served as a military base during both World Wars and was used as a radar station by the Maltese army.

Burial of St Agatha, by Giulio Campi, 1537
Burial of St Agatha, by Giulio Campi, 1537

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Memorials of the Saints – 5 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

St Agatha (c 231- c 251) (Memorial)

—
St Adelaide of Guelders
St Agatha Hildegard of Carinthia
St Agricola of Tongres
St Albinus of Brixen
St Anthony of Athens
St Avitus of Vienne
St Bertulph
St Buo of Ireland
St Calamanda of Calaf
St Dominica of Shapwick
Bl Elisabetta Canori Mora
St Fingen of Metz
Bl Françoise Mézière
St Gabriel de Duisco
St Genuinus of Sabion
St Indract
St Isidore of Alexandria
St Jesús Méndez-Montoya
Bl John Morosini
St Kichi Franciscus
St Luca di Demenna
St Modestus of Carinthia
Bl Primo Andrés Lanas
St Saba the Younger
St Vodoaldus of Soissons
—
Martyrs of Pontus: An unknown number of Christians who were tortured and martyred in assorted painful ways in the region of Pontus (in modern Turkey) during the persecutions of Maximian.

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Thought for the Day – 5 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Female saints were numerous in the early Church and the cruelties these saints suffered for their faith encouraged many others to go to their martyrdom.   These early witnesses to the faith became the great Christian heroes and heroines and their zeal did a great deal to cement and establish the faith.   Many. like St Agatha, suffered centuries ago but their memory is kept fresh, as if they had died yesterday.    As is common in the story of man, we learn not from our past, persecutions against Christians seems to constantly rear it’s ugly head – now we suffer too and our women are under a great attack in the modern world.   Let us call on Agatha to be with us, to pray for us all and in particular to pray that all Christian women, may protect their purity and chastity.

St Agatha, pray for us!

st-agatha-feb-5

 

Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 5 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 5 February

“Jesus Christ, Lord of all things!
You see my heart, you know my desires.
Possess all that I am – you alone.
I am your sheep; make me worthy
to overcome the devil.”
~~~- Saint Agatha

“She teaches by her example to hasten to the true Good –  God alone.”

~~~St. Methodius

jesus-christ-lord-of-all-things-st-agathast-methodius-on-st-agatha

 

Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 5 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 5 February

(God) gave us…..a birth to any imperishable…..inheritance…..which is kept in heaven for you…..1 Peter 1:3-4

REFLECTION – “You have within you everything
that you need to purchase the kingdom of heaven.
Joy will be purchased by your sorrow,
rest by your labour,
glory by your humiliation
and eternal life by your passing death”……..St Augustine

PRAYER – Loving Father, teach me how to make every event on earth lay up treasure for me in heaven. Help me to endure sorrows, labours, hardships, humiliations and death willingly so as to attain heaven. Help me to always manifest You in my life as the life of St Agatha did. St Agatha please intercede for us all, amen!

you-have-within-you

st-agatha-pray-for-us

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 5 February – St Agatha of Sicily

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 5 February – St Agatha of Sicily, (c 231-c 251) VIRGIN and MARTYR, Patronages:  against breast cancer, against breast disease, against earthquakes, against eruptions of Mount Etna, against fire, against natural disasters, against sterility, against volcanic eruptions, of bell-founders, fire prevention, jewelers, martyrs, nurses, rape victims, single laywomen, torture victims, wet-nurses, Malta, San Marino, 64 cities

“My fellow Christians, our annual celebration of a martyr’s feast has brought us together. Agatha achieved renown in the early Church for her noble victory. For her, Christ’s death was recent, His blood was still moist. Her robe is the mark of her faithful witness to Christ. Agatha, the name of our saint, means “good.” She was truly good, for she lived as a child of God. Agatha, her goodness coincides with her name and her way of life. She won a good name by her noble deeds and by her name she points to the nobility of those deeds. Agatha, her mere name wins all men over to her company. She teaches them by her example to hasten with her to the true Good, God alone.” – from a homily on Saint Agatha by Saint Methodius of Sicily

Agatha was born at Catania or Palermo, Sicily and she was martyred in approximately 251. She is one of seven women, who, along with the Blessed Virgin Mary, are commemorated by name in the Canon of the Mass.
One of the most highly venerated virgin martyrs of Christian antiquity, Agatha was put to death during the persecution of Decius (250–253) in Catania, Sicily, for her determined profession of faith.

Although the martyrdom of Saint Agatha is authenticated, and her veneration as a saint had spread beyond her native place even in antiquity, there is no reliable information concerning the details of her death.

According to Jacobus de Voragine, Legenda Aurea of ca. 1288, having dedicated her virginity to God, fifteen-year-old Agatha, from a rich and noble family, rejected the amorous advances of the low-born Roman prefect Quintianus, who then persecuted her for her Christian faith.    He sent Agatha to Aphrodisia, the keeper of a brothel.

The madam finding her intractable, Quintianus sent for her, argued, threatened and finally had her put in prison.    Amongst the tortures she underwent was the cutting off of her breasts with pincers.    After further dramatic confrontations with Quintianus, represented in a sequence of dialogues in her passio that document her fortitude and steadfast devotion, Saint Agatha was then sentenced to be burnt at the stake but an earthquake saved her from that fate;  instead, she was sent to prison where St. Peter the Apostle appeared to her and healed her wounds.    Saint Agatha died in prison, according to the Legenda Aurea in “the year of our Lord two hundred and fifty-three in the time of Decius, the emperor of Rome.”

van Honthorst, Gerrit, c.1590-1592-1656; St Agatha Healed by St Peter

Saint Peter Healing Agatha, by the Caravaggio-follower Giovanni Lanfranco, ca 1614

According to Maltese tradition, during the persecution of Roman Emperor Decius (AD 249–251), Agatha, together with some of her friends, fled from Sicily and took refuge in Malta. Some historians believe that her stay on the island was rather short and she spent her days in a rock hewn crypt at Rabat, praying and teaching the Christian Faith to children. After some time, Agatha returned to Sicily, where she faced martyrdom.    Agatha was arrested and brought before Quintanus, praetor of Catania, who condemned her to torture and imprisonment.    The crypt of St. Agatha is an underground basilica, which from early ages was venerated by the Maltese.    At the time of St. Agatha’s stay, the crypt was a small natural cave which later on, during the 4th or 5th century, was enlarged and embellished.

Saint Agatha is a patron saint of Malta, where in 1551 her intercession through a reported apparition to a Benedictine nun is said to have saved Malta from Turkish invasion.

Agatha is the patron saint of bell-founders because of the shape of her severed breasts and also of bakers, whose loaves were blessed at her feast day.    More recently, she has been venerated as patron saint of breast cancer patients.

She is claimed as the patroness of Palermo.    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 prayers for protection against fire.

An annual festival to commemorate the life of Saint Agatha takes place in Catania, Sicily, from February 3 to 5.   The festival culminates in a great all-night procession through the city for which hundreds of thousands of the city’s residents turn out.

catania_i_cannalori

Festival of Saint Agatha in Catania (1915)
Basques have a tradition of gathering on Saint Agatha’s Eve (Basque: Santa Ageda bezpera) and going round the village.    Homeowners can choose to hear a song about her life, accompanied by the beats of their walking sticks on the floor or a prayer for the household’s deceased.    After that, the homeowner donates food to the chorus.

Burial of St Agatha, by Giulio Campi, 1537giulio_campi_entierro_de_santa_agata