Saint Agatha of Sicily

Deaconess of the Christian Church

AD 231- 251

Born: Catania, Sicily

Survived: a month of rape in a brothel, prison, stretched on the rack, whipped, burned, the cutting off of her breasts, and burnt at the stake

Died: Catania, Sicily, in prison

Patron saint of breast cancer, fire, earthquakes, jewelers, martyrs, rape victims, single lay women, wet nurses, martyrs, bakers, and volcanic eruptions of Mount Etna

As a virgin Saint Agatha lived during a time of immense persecution because of her unwavering faith. The refusal to marry a Roman prefect named Quintianus, who wanted her large family estate, made torture imminent for the young girl. Within a court presided by Quintianus as judge her torture and perspective death was announced with the expectation of retreating from her faith. Saint Agatha however stood her ground and did not waiver. As she prayed for courage and strength Quintianus sentenced her to be brutally tortured and defiled within a brothel. Even as her breasts were ripped from her body she did not renounce her faith and was rewarded with complete healing of all her wounds. Eventually it is recorded that she died in prison but the details of her death are unknown.

Saint Agatha is portrayed with the typical iconography assigned to her. The acrylic overlay is engraved with fruit that represents women. Peaches, apples, and grapes are placed upon a halo of holy rays enveloping the wounding of her womanhood. Also engraved are the pincers said to have been used in the removal of her breasts. Lastly standing upon the hot coals she is positioned above the surface delicately characterizing her transcendent resistance for the things of this world.