St. Agatha, was the martyr of Catania. She was born of an illustrious family in Sicily during the 3rd Century. Having been consecrated to God from her early years, she refused to accept marriage proposals. One of her suitor, the senator Quintian, was irritated by such determination and brought her to court. In 250, during the persecution of Dercius, she was handed over to Aphrodisia, the caretaker of a prostitution den. But St. Agatha, with the help of the Lord, stood firm in her resolution.
One month later, St. Agatha was streched on the rack, torn with iron hooks and flogged. Finally, her breasts were cruellt crushed and cut off. Four days later, she was rolled naked over live coals mixed with broken glasses. As she was carried back to prison, she prayed: "Lord, my creator, you have taken me from the love of the world and given me patience to suffer. Receive now my soul. In addition to being Patroness of Nurses, St. Agatha is invoked against earthquakes and breat diseases.
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