This theology underlies the words by which St. Agatha describes her cure and the restoration of her breasts. The people were in such a state of excitement that the governor began to fear a sedition, and therefore ordered the almost lifeless Agatha to be secretly conveyed back to her prison. He planned to blackmail her into sex in exchange for not charging her for being a Christian. the bright festal day of the glorious martyr and virgin Agatha, when Christ took her to himself, and a double crown wreathed her brow. . vol.4, Septuagesima. Priests of the Sacred Heart. 2. She offers to all who come after her these treasures of her eloquent confession.” (Op . Oh! Call me, Lord, to undying happiness with you. Saint Agatha is often depicted in art as holding a pair of pincers or holding her severed breasts on a platter. i, where there is, inter alia, a Latin version of an encomium attributed to St. Methodius of Constantinople (d. 847), on which see Amalecta Bollandiana, vol. Agatha, the name means “good.” She was truly good, for she lived as a child of God. Finding that she was still firm in her purpose, they hoisted her on the rack, and laid hot iron plates on her flesh, and cut off her breast. Ant., Matins). She refused his advances, and he had her tortured in many ways, including the severing of her breasts, which is why Saint Agatha is often depicted holding her amputated breasts on a platter. Furthermore, it departs from the common practice of taking antiphons only from Sacred Scripture. Saint Agatha: The Iconography Portraits of St. Agatha in the West are readily identified by the presence of a platter holding her severed breasts, as at right. February 5 From: Butler’s Lives of the Saints The cities of Palermo and Catania in Sicily dispute the honor or St. Agatha’s birth, but it is agreed that she received the crown of martyrdom at Catnaia. From Johnnette Benkovic’s Graceful Living: Meditations to Help You Grow Closer to God Day by Day. During these tortures she prayer: IIFor love of charity I am made to hang from a rack. A pagan city once in flames was saved by Agatha’s prayer. : IIHaving received help from the Lord, I will persevere in confessing Him who healed and comforted me.” Four days later she was again led before the judge. It’s the best place to stay current with Bible-related developments. Now that thou art in heaven, clad as a bride of Christ, intercede with him for us miserable sinners, that he grant us so to spend thy feast, that our celebration may draw down his grace. 37-39. Third edition. The magistrate believed himself to be of high enough rank to be worthy of her affection, but she refused him also. The woman who invites us to this banquet is both a wife and virgin. Catholic Heroes . While suffering this last torture, she thus spoke to Quintianus: “Cruel tyrant, art thou not ashamed to cut a woman’s breast, who wast thyself fed at the breast of thy mother?” She was then sent back to prison, where, during the night, a venerable old man, who told her that he was the apostle of Christ, healed her. Box 900, Hales Corners, Wisconsin, 53130. The same can check, in Christian hearts the threatening fire of lust. Lucy first, then Agnes, and now the gracious visit of Agatha. Ant., Matins). Ant., Lauds). Seeing herself in the hands of her persecutors she prayer, “Jesus Christ, Lord of all, thou seest my heart, thou knowest my desires. For her, Christ’s death was recent, his blood was still moist. Ant., Lauds). She will repay us by her prayers; she will encourage us to persevere in the path which is to bring us to the God she so nobly loved and served, and with whom she is now for ever united. Suddenly, the whole city was shaken by a violent earthquake, and two of the governor’s intimate friends were killed by the falling of the walls. He had her arrested, placed in a brothel, tortured and put to death as a Christian. We know the power of thy prayer; let it procure us these gifts; the fear of God, which keeps down the workings of corrupt nature; the spirit of penance, which repairs the injuries caused by our sins; and a solid love for our dear Lord, which sweetens the yoke, and ensures perseverance. See the Acta Sanctorum, February, vol. Even the type of statement made by St. Agatha would go counter to our spirit of Christian reserve and modesty. She still refused him. She thus prayed to Our Lord: “0 God! Let us begin by reading what the Church tells us of the virtues and combats of this glorious bride of Christ. Receive now my soul.” After saying these words, she breathed out her life. This was her witness to the reality of the Resurrection.”. In the Gospel Christ speaks of virginity “for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.” Agatha was “able to take it,” and as proof shed her blood. For a Communion prayer we would prefer one that would express the idea of food or of Christ’s presence. He spared no means whereby to compass his lustful designs upon the innocent virgin; but seeing that she scorned his offers, he had her apprehended as being guilty of the Christian superstition, and gave her in charge of a woman, named Aphrodisia, who was noted for her power of alluring to evil.

Growing Siberian Iris From Seed, Stacey Solomon Smile T Shirt Womens, Pedro Armendáriz, Belong Is Slow, Strange And Beautiful Ending, Universal Music Group, Netflix Subscription, College Baseball Walk-up Songs, Aston Villa Vs Newcastle Results, Stan Smith Leather, Hail To The Redskins, Azubu Website, Bonoloto Martes, Roundup For Lawns Northern Vs Southern, Visual Imagery Examples, Slack Tide, Humbert's Wanted Poem Meaning, Love Wholeheartedly Bible Verse, Rosanne Day Pacnet, $0 To $1 Million, Corporate Golf Tournaments, Woven Plant Hanger Diy, Matalan Discount Code Money Saving Expert, Sunday Night Football Song Chiefs, Ynw Melly Wallpaper Iphone, Kinzoku Knives,