English translation of the story of Agatha, patron saint of Catania, Sicily, martyred in the persecution of Decio

1. Saint Agatha,
Virgin
and Martyr

2. Agatha was born into a rich and noble family, traditionally from Catania, Sicily

3. Saint Agatha (229/235 - Catania, 5 February 251) was, according to Catholic tradition,
a young woman who lived in the third century, during the proconsulate of Quinziano.

4. Agatha is represented as a true
deaconess of the Church of the
first centuries. One could then
imagine that, although she had
consecrated herself to God at 15
thanks to the special consent of
the Bishop, she was no longer
a girl at the time of martyrdom,
but rather a young woman with
an active role in her Christian
community: a deaconess had
the task, among others, of
instructing the new catechumni
in the Christian faith (catechesis)
and preparing the youngest
for baptism, first communion
and confirmation.

5. According to the Maltese
tradition, during the
persecution of the Roman
emperor Decius (249 - 251),
Agatha fled from Sicily,
and took refuge in Malta.
Some historians believe that
her stay on the island was
rather short, and that she
spent her days in a rocky
crypt near Rabat, praying
and teaching the Christian
faith to children.
After some time, Agatha
returned to Sicily, where
she faced martyrdom.
She was arrested and
brought to the front to
Quinziano, Praetor of
Catania, who sentenced
her to torture and
imprisonment.

6. The crypt of Saint Agatha is an underground basilica,
revered by the Maltese since the early centuries.

7. the proconsul Quinziano, who arrived at the seat of Catania also with the intention
to enforce the edict of the emperor Decius, who asked all Christians to publicly
renounce their faith, carried out a ferocious persecution. Tradition refers
that Agatha fled with her family to Palermo

8. Porta Sant'Agata, Palermo, Sicily

9. the Lex Laetoria, a law that protected young people aged
between 20 and 25, especially young women, giving to anyone
the possibility of opposing an actio popularis against the abuses
of power committed by the inquisitor: the trial of Agatha it
ended with a popular insurrection against Quinziano, who had
to flee to escape the lynching by the Catania crowd.

10. Perhaps behind the conviction of Agatha,
there was the intention of confiscating
all her family’s wealthy assets

11. Pope Fabiano had been killed, more than a year before,
so the Holy See was vacant, for 14 months
until his succesor Cornelio was elected

12. According to the Golden Legend (1288) of blessed Iacopo
from Varagine, Agatha consecrated her virginity to God.

13. At Agatha's decided refusal to
worship the gods, the proconsul
entrusted her for a month to the
re-educational custody of the
courtesan Aphrodisia and her
daughters, very corrupt people.
It is possible that Aphrodisias
was a priestess of Venus or Ceres,
and therefore devoted to sacred
prostitution. They sought moral
corruption of Agatha, through a
continuous psychological pressure,
made up of enticements and
threats, to subject her to
Quinziano's wishes, trying to drag
the young girl from Catania
to Dionysian haunts.
But Agatha came out of that
struggle victorious and stronger
than before, so much so as to
discourage her own temptresses,
who gave up on their commitment,
returning Agatha to Quinziano.

14. Quinziano started a trial and summoned Agatha to the praetorian palace.
Agatha defended herself - "The sufferings you will inflict on me will be short-lived,
and I look forward to experiencing them because just as wheat cannot be stored
unless its grain is first severely crushed, so my soul will not be able to enter
heaven if you do not first have my body torn apart by your executioners "

15. In Catania, in the Church
of Sant'Agata la Vetere the
place indicated as the hall
of the Roman praetorium
is preserved, where the
tortures and trials
were carried out

16. Tradition holds
that during the
night she was
visited by
Saint Peter,
who consoled
her and
miraculously
healed her
wounds.

17. Martyrdom of Saint Agatha

19. The Funeral of Saint Agatha

20. The embers that according to legend tormented Agatha on 5 February 251 d. C.
are found at the side altar in the Church of San Biagio (Catania)
also known as the Church of Sant'Agata alla Fornace

21. Tradition holds that while she was being buried an Angel appeared
and deposited in her tomb the marble stone inscribed –
"anima santa, honor to God and deliverance of her Patria”

22. Even after the era of
the reform, Agatha was
kept in the Protestant
liturgical calendar as
shown in the Book of
Common Prayer, which
is the reference for
the Church of England
and for the Anglican
Communions

23. Agatha, together with Saints
Christina, Ninfa and Olivia, is one
of the four patron saints of the
“Happy City”, Palermo

24. The reliquary bust of
Saint Agatha, by the
Sienese Giovanni di
Bartolo from 1376

25. The Veil of the Saint
is the most widespread
"historical" relic,
thanks to its ancient
proven protective
efficacy. According to
the story of Agatha's
Passion, the Veil is not
one of her garments
but a cloth that covered
the martyr's tomb,
though Agatha herself
may have had more
than one.
An allusion to the Veil,
inspired by the story of
her Passion, is found
in the antiphon
Paganorum multitudo
composed for the feast
of the Saint, present in
almost all manuscripts
of the XI century

26. The Veil, much venerated in Catania, currently kept in an Italian reliquary from the
second half of the 19th century, it is believed to be that of the Virgin consecrated to Christ.
The altar of Saint Elias in Clairvaux (1498) also contains a relic of the same.

27. The seven relics of the casket. Two contain the femurs of the Saint,
two the arms with the hands, two the legs with the feet, one of the
breasts. The sacred Veil is to be considered the eighth reliquary.

28. Other relics
The relics of
the instruments
of martyrdom
are more
limited:
iron thongs of
torture or glass
fragments are
found in
Palermo

29. Other relics -
In Palermo, in the Royal Chapel, the relics of the ulna and radius of
one arm are kept.
-In Messina, in the monastery of SS. Salvatore, an arm bone.
- In Ali, in the province of Messina, part of an arm bone.
-In Rome, fragments of the veil are preserved in several churches.
-In Sant'Agata dei Goti, in the province of Benevento, a finger is preserved.
-Other small relics are found in Sant'Agata di Bianco, Capua, Capri,
Siponto, Foggia, Florence, Pistoia, Radicofani, Udine, Venalzio, Ferrara.
-Small relics of Saint Agatha are also kept abroad.
--In Spain: in Palencia, Oviedo and Barcelona.
-In France: in Cambrai, Hanan, Breau Preau and Douai.
-In Belgium: in Brussels, in Thienen, in Laar, in Antwerp.
-And again, in Luxembourg, in the Czech Republic (Prague)
-and in Germany (Cologne).

30. the Angelic Tablet, which preserves the well-known epigraph Mentem
sanctam spontaneam honorem Deo et patriae liberationem (as we read in
the reliquary bust), covered by a painting, is located in Cremona
where it is carried in procession through the city streets.

31. Two soldiers Gislibert and Gonselm brought back from Constantinople the relics
of Saint Agatha and gave them to Bihop Maurice of Catania 17 Aug 1126

32. MIRACLES - Just a year after her death, in 252,
Catania was hit by a serious eruption of Etna.
The eruption began on February 1st and had already
destroyed some villages on the outskirts of Catania.
The people went to the cathedral and, taking the veil of
Saint Agatha, carried it in procession near the lava flow.

33. Saint Lucia, from Syracuse,
almost the same age as Agatha,
went with her seriously ill mother
to pray at Agatha's tomb to beg
for healing. Legend has it that
Lucia, while she was praying,
had a vision in which Saint
Agatha said to her
«why did you come here when
you can do what you ask me?
Just as Catania is protected by
me, your Syracuse will be
protected by you. "
Lucia's mother healed,
and the young woman after
a while was also martyred.

34. More than fifteen times, from 252 to 1886,
Catania was saved from destruction by lava

35. Catania was
preserved in
535 from the
Ostrogoths
invasion

36. It was preserved in 1575 and 1743 from the plague.

37. On 25 July 1127 the Moors besieged the Sicilian coasts. Wherever they landed
there were massacres and robberies. The inhabitants of the city resorted to the
intercession of Sant'Agatha and Catania was spared from that scourge

38. in 1231 it was preserved from
the wrath of Frederick II

39. In 1231 Frederick II of Swabia had come to Sicily to subdue it. Many cities mutinied and
Catania was among these. Frederick II furiously ordered its destruction, but the people of
Catania obtained that, before the execution of that extermination, a last mass was celebrated
in the cathedral, attended by Frederick II himself. During that mass the king, on the pages
of his breviary, read a sentence, which appeared miraculously, and sounded like a dangerous
warning to him: Noli offend Patriam Agathae quia ultrix iniuriarum est

40. the most disastrous eruption of Mt Etna took place in 1669: a series of vents opened along the
sides of the volcano, which erupted lava and lapilli for sixty-eight days. Lava destroyed many
small towns and reached the city, surrounding the moat of the Ursino Castle. In the sacristy of
the cathedral a fresco, painted ten years after the eruption by those who had experienced
those tragic moments firsthand, describes the almost apocalyptic scenes of that destruction.

41. When the magma had reached a distance
of three hundred meters from the cathedral,
it miraculously avoided the places where
Sant'Agata had been imprisoned, had suffered
martyrdom and where she was then buried, to go
and unload into the sea and continue for more
than three kilometres. It seemed clear the will of
the Saint from Catania to save the places that
belonged to her history and her cult

42. Another prodigious event
is also linked to that
terrible eruption:
a fresco, which depicted
Sant'Agata in jail,
and which was in a
newsstand outside the city
walls, it was carried intact
by the lava river for
hundreds of meters.
Now that painting is on
the high altar of the
church of Sant'Agata
alle Sciare, in Catania

43. In 1693 a violent earthquake
shook Catania. There were
eighteen thousand dead.
None of the nine thousand
survivors after the disaster
wanted to return to the city.
Catania would have
become a ghost town if
a delegate of the Bishop,
in procession with the
relics of Sant'Agata, had
not begged the people to
stay and rebuild the city.

44. In 1576, when the plague began to spread not far from Catania, the senate decided
to resort to the intercession of the patron saint. The relics were carried in procession
along the streets of the city and, once they reached the hospitals where the plague
victims were hospitalized, they recovered and no one was infected anymore.

45. In 1743 a second wave
of plague was about to
spread from Messina to
Catania as well. The
relics were carried in
procession and the
plague stopped. In
memory of this
prodigy, a Roman
column (from the
Roman Theater) was
erected in the current
Piazza dei Martiri,
surmounted by a effigy
of Sant'Agata that
crushes the head of a
monster, symbol
of the plague.

46. the votive habit is a penitential habit or sackcloth or tunic, white to
indicate purity, worn by the people of Catania On 17 August when the
two soldiers, the Frenchman Gilberto and the Calabrian Goselmo,
brought the relics back to Catania from Constantinople

47. From 3 to 5 February, According to tradition, at the news of the return of the Saint's
relics in 1126, the bishop went out in procession to the city barefoot ... followed by the
clergy, the nobles and the people. .... it is the origin of the traditional dress that
devotees wear on the days of the festivities, the Agathine Sackcloth: white gowns and
gloves with a black skullcap on the head. - the votive habit is a penitential habit or
sackcloth or tunic, in any case white to indicate purity,
Procession of the
Relics of Saint Agatha

48. The Veil of Saint Agatha

49. The small room of Saint Agatha in the cathedral

50. Casket of
the relics
and
sarcophagus
of the Saint

51. Other characteristic elements of the festival are the silver fercolo where the relics of
the Saint are placed in turn on a chariot or Vara formerly without wheels having in
its lower part 4 metal half-moons that allowed it to be dragged on the lava paving of
which the roads of the historical center are constituted. In recent times, rubber
wheels with hydraulic brakes have been placed inside these crescents to ensure safety

52. Two chords of over 100 meters are tied to the vehicle to which
hundreds of "Devotees" cling (with the Agatino Sack, that is the
aforementioned white tunic tied by a chord belt, black skull cap,
handkerchief and white gloves) who tirelessly pull the wagon.

54. The Vara is carried in procession preceded by the candelore or cannalori, now thirteen in number
between the "historical" ones and those added and dedicated in recent times, each belonging to
another guild of city artisans or symbolizing the offers some neighborhoods in Catania ("la Rena"
or "Sant'Agata village") or the association of devotees ( the Circolo Sant'Agata). All this takes place
with a crowd waving white handkerchiefs and shouting Citizens, citizens, semu tutti, all devotees.

56. In the procession of day 4 it is adorned with pink carnations
(symbols of the blood and therefore of the martyrdom suffered by
the saint), while in that of day 5 it is decorated with white
carnations (symbols of purity, chastity and faith in the Lord).

58. Typical pastries and
confections for the
Patron Saint’s feast

60. LIST OF PRESENTATIONS IN ENGLISH
Revised 17-1-2021
Advent and Christmas – time of hope and peace
Amoris Laetitia – ch 1 – In the Light of the Word
Amoris Laetitia – ch 2 – The Experiences and Challenges of Families
Amoris Laetitia – ch 3 - Looking to Jesus, the Vocation of the Family
Amoris Laetitia – ch 4 - Love in Marriage
Amoris Laetitia – ch 5 – Love made Fruitfuol
Amoris Laetitia – ch 6 – Some Pastoral Perspectives
Amoris Laetitia – ch 7 – Towards a better education of children
Amoris Laetitia – ch 8 – Accompanying, discerning and integrating weaknwss
Amoris Laetitia – ch 9 – The Spirituality of Marriage and the Family
Beloved Amazon 1ª – A Social Dream
Beloved Amazon 2 - A Cultural Dream
Beloved Amazon 3 – An Ecological Dream
Beloved Amazon 4 - An Ecclesiastical Dream
Carnival
Christ is Alive
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 1 – Church and Family today
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 2 - God’s plan for the family
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 1 – family as a Community
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 2 – serving life and education
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 3 – mission of the family in society
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 4 - Family in the Church
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 4 Pastoral familiar
Football in Spain
Haurietis aquas – devotion to the Sacred Heart by Pius XII
Holidays and Holy Days
Holy Spirit
Holy Week – drawings for children
Holy Week – glmjpses of the last hours of JC
Inauguration of President Donald Trump
Juno explores Jupiter
Laudato si 1 – care for the common home
Laudato si 2 – Gospel of creation
Laudato si 3 – Human roots of the ecological crisis
Laudato si 4 – integral ecology
Laudato si 5 – lines of approach and action
Laudato si 6 – Education y Ecological Spirituality
Love and Marriage 1-
Love and Marriage 2 – growing up to sexual maturity
Love and Marriage 3 – psychological differences and complimentarity
Love and Marriage 4- causes of sexual attraction
Love and Marriage 5- freedom and intimacy
Love and Marriage 6 - human love
Love and Marriage 7 - destiny of human love
Love and Marriage 8- marriage between Christian believers
Love and Marriage 9 – sacrament of marriage
Lumen Fidei – ch 1,2,3,4
Medjugore Pilgrimage
Misericordiae Vultus in English
Mother Teresa of Calcuta – Saint
Pope Franciss in Thailand
Pope Francis in Japan
Pope Francis in Sweden
Pope Francis in America
Pope Francis in the WYD in Poland 2016
Querida Amazonia
Resurrection of Jesus Christ –according to the Gospels
Russian Revolution and Communismo 3 civil war 1918.1921
Russian Revolution and Communism 1
Russian Revolution and Communismo 2
Saint Joseph
Saint Patrick and Ireland
Signs of hope
Sunday – day of the Lord
Thanksgiving – History and Customs
The Body, the cult – (Eucharist)
Valentine
Vocation – mconnor@legionaries.org
Way of the Cross – drawings for children
For commentaries – email – mflynn@legionaries.org
Fb – Martin M Flynn
Donations to - Congregazione di Legionari di Cristo
BANCO - 03069 INTESA SANPAOLO SPA
Conto corrente - IT89T0306909606 100000139496-EUR-CA CATANIA
IBAN: ES3700491749852910000635

61. LISTA DE PRESENTACIONES EN ESPAÑOL
Revisado 17-1-2021
Abuelos
Adviento y Navidad, tiempo de esperanza
Amor y Matrimonio 1 - 9
Amoris Laetitia – ch 1 – A la luz de la Palabre
Amoris Laetitia – ch 2 – Realidad y Desafíos de las Familias
Amoris Laetitia – ch 3 La mirada puesta en Jesús: Vocación de la Familia
Amoris Laetitia – ch 4 - El Amor en el Matrimonio
Amoris Laetitia – ch 5 – Amor que se vuelve fecundo
Amoris Laetitia – ch 6 – Algunas Perspectivas Pastorales
Amoris Laetitia – ch 7 – Fortalecer la educacion de los hijos
Amoris Laetitia – ch 8 – Acompañar, discernir e integrar la fragilidad
Amoris Laetitia – ch 9 – Espiritualidad Matrimonial y Familiar
Carnaval
Cristo Vive
Domingo – día del Señor
El camino de la cruz de JC en dibujos para niños
El Cuerpo, el culto – (eucarisía)
Espíritu Santo
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 1 – iglesia y familia hoy
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 2 - el plan de Dios para la familia
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 1 – familia como comunidad
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 2 – servicio a la vida y educación
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 3 – misión de la familia en la sociedad
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 3 – 4 - participación de la familia en la iglesia
Familiaris Consortio (FC) 4 Pastoral familiar
Fátima – Historia de las Apariciones de la Virgen
Feria de Sevilla
Haurietis aquas – el culto al Sagrado Corazón
Hermandades y cofradías
Hispanidad
Laudato si 1 – cuidado del hogar común
Laudato si 2 – evangelio de creación
Laudato si 3 – La raíz de la crisis ecológica
Laudato si 4 – ecología integral
Laudato si 5 – líneas de acción
Laudato si 6 – Educación y Espiritualidad Ecológica
Lumen Fidei – cap 1,2,3,4
Madre Teresa de Calcuta – Santa
María y la Biblia
Medjugore peregrinación
Misericordiae Vultus en Español
Papa Francisco en Bulgaria
Papa Francisco en Rumania
Papa Francisco en Marruecos
Papa Francisco en México
Papa Francisco – mensaje para la Jornada Mundial Juventud 2016
Papa Francisco – visita a Chile
Papa Francisco – visita a Perú
Papa Francisco en Colombia 1 + 2
Papa Francisco en Cuba
Papa Francisco en Fátima
Papa Francisco en la JMJ 2016 – Polonia
Queridas Amazoznia 1 un sueños social
Queridas Amazoznia 2 un suepo cultural
Queridas Amazoznia 3 un seuños ecologico
Queridas Amazoznia 4 un sueño eclesial
Resurrección de Jesucristo – según los Evangelios
Revolución Rusa y Comunismo 1, 2, 3
San Francisco de Asis 1,2,3,4
San José
San Juan de la Cruz
San Padre Pio de Pietralcina
Santiago Apóstol
Semana santa – Vistas de las últimas horas de JC
Vacaciones Cristianas
Valentín
Virgen de Guadalupe
Vocación – www.vocación.org
Vocación a evangelizar
Para comentarios – email – mflynn@lcegionaries.org
fb – martin m. flynn
Donations to - Congregazione di Legionari di Cristo
BANCO - 03069 INTESA SANPAOLO SPA
Conto corrente - IT89T0306909606 100000139496-EUR-CA CATANIA
IBAN: ES3700491749852910000635