Saint Agatha, Virgin & Martyr
S. Agathae Virginis et Martyris
A virgin of Sicily who gave her life for Christ in the persecution of the third century, Saint Agatha is one of the most venerated martyrs of the early Church — so honoured that her name is spoken in the Canon of the Mass.
Saint Agatha was a young Christian woman of noble birth in Sicily, venerated as a virgin and martyr from the earliest centuries. Both Catania and Palermo claim the honour of her birth. According to her ancient account she had consecrated her virginity to God, and in the persecution of the Emperor Decius, about the year 251, she was denounced as a Christian and brought before the magistrate Quintianus. When she refused to renounce her faith or her vow of chastity, she was cruelly tormented and at last died in prison of her sufferings, faithful to Christ to the end.
Honoured in the Canon
The veneration of Saint Agatha spread swiftly and widely through the whole Church. So great was her renown that, together with a small number of the most illustrious early martyrs, her name was inscribed in the Canon of the Roman Mass, where it is still spoken among the holy virgin martyrs — Felicity, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cecilia, and Anastasia. To be named in the very heart of the Mass is a mark of the deepest and most ancient honour the Roman Church can give.
Patroness of Catania
Saint Agatha has always been especially honoured at Catania, the city under the shadow of Mount Etna, where she is venerated as principal patroness. The faithful there have long invoked her protection against the eruptions of the volcano and against fire, and her feast in early February is kept with great solemnity. While, as with many of the most ancient martyrs, the surviving details of her passion contain later embellishments, what is certain and constant is the Church’s unbroken veneration of her as a glorious virgin who chose death rather than deny her Lord.
The Collect
O God, who among other miracles of Thy power hast given the victory of martyrdom even to the weaker sex: mercifully grant that we, who keep the heavenly birthday of blessed Agatha, Thy Virgin and Martyr, may by her example come unto Thee. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.
Deus, qui inter cetera potentiae tuae miracula etiam in sexu fragili victoriam martyrii contulisti: concede propitius; ut, qui beatae Agathae Virginis et Martyris tuae natalitia colimus, per eius ad te exempla gradiamur. Per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum Filium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Patronage
She is the principal patroness of Catania and of Sicily, and is invoked against fire, against the eruptions of Mount Etna, and by those who suffer from diseases of the breast.
In the Modern Calendar
In the modern calendar her memorial is also kept on 5 February, observed as an obligatory memorial.
Common Questions
When is the feast of Saint Agatha?
Her feast is celebrated on 5 February in both the 1962 Roman Missal (Third Class) and the modern calendar (obligatory memorial).
Who was Saint Agatha?
She was a young Sicilian virgin who was martyred for the faith, traditionally in the persecution of Decius around 251. She is one of the most venerated of the early martyrs and is named in the Canon of the Mass.
Why is Saint Agatha named in the Canon of the Mass?
In the traditional Roman Canon, a small number of the most honoured early martyrs are named. Saint Agatha is included among the holy virgin martyrs — with Felicity, Perpetua, Lucy, Agnes, Cecilia, and Anastasia — a sign of the great antiquity and depth of her veneration in the Roman Church.
See where this feast falls in the Church’s year on the liturgical calendar, or find a Traditional Latin Mass near you.
These pages are offered with love for the saints and for all who seek them. If anything here should need correcting, we humbly beg your pardon and ask your help — kindly write to [email protected], and we will mend it as soon as we can.
Receive the coming feasts, Mass times, and reflections from our community — sent with care, never spam.