ST. AGATHA CHURCH
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Who Was St. Agatha? The patroness of our parish, St. Agatha, was martyred in Sicily in the year 251. She was an illustrious and noble virgin. Quintanus, who governed Sicily under the Emperor Decius, used the Decian persecution laws against the citizens as a pretext for summoning her from Palermo to Catania. She was imprisoned for a month under the false charge of being. a woman from a brothel. Following a period of extreme torture, she was healed by St. Peter. Sadly, the torture continued, and she later died in prison. During subsequent eruptions of Mt. Etna, the people of Catania have exposed her veil for public veneration and found safety. In modern times, her tomb has been opened and the people have beheld her skin - still entire with a sweet fragrance issuing from the tomb. St. Agatha is the patroness of nurses and bell makers. She is sometimes invoked against fire and diseases of the breast.
Taken from The Saint Agatha Community, published in 1999.
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Lord, let your forgiveness be won for us by the pleading of Saint Agatha, who found favor with you by her chastity and by her courage in suffering death for the Gospel. Grant this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. Saint Agatha pray for us! |
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