Saint Agatha, Virgin Martyr
by VP
Posted on Monday February 05, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
Prayer To Saint Agatha:
Dear
St. Agatha, glorious virgin and martyr, you suffered yourself to be
reviled and buffeted, to be tortured by rack, fire, and sword in a most
ignominious and painful manner; and by this fortitude and heroism you
merited to be consoled and gladdened in the midst of your dreadful
torments by the sight of your guardian angel and the prince of the
apostles: obtain for me, I pray, by your merits and by your intercession
with Jesus Christ, your divine Spouse, that I may suffer joyfully every
temporal loss, rather than prove unfaithful to my Lord and my God, to
Whom I have promised everlasting fealty, both at Baptism and at my first
Holy Communion. Ask for me the grace of perseverance, that I may with
thee enjoy the beatific vision and praise God forevermore.
"She was a virgin of Sicily, of a rich and illustrious family; who being solicited by all arts to comply with the wicked desires of the governor, resolutely withstood them all, choosing rather the humility and contempt of the Gospel, than the great offers of honor and riches that were made her. Pray for all that are exposed to the like temptations; great grace is necessary to stand against them. Your charity cannot be better employed, than to beg in behalf of those who are under these trials. Resolve likewise for yourself and those under your care, that worldly advantages shall never turn the balance in whatever choice you are to make. It is hence that many ruin themselves and their children; while considering only what is likely to make them great or rich, they have so little regard for what is to make them good and happy, that they greatly expose this to the hazard, so that they can but secure the other. All these want the faith of those eternal goods which directed this holy virgin in her choice: they want that sincere love of God which moved her to run the hazard of all that is worldly, for satisfying her duty, and securing God to herself. Pray that you may always follow her example.
St Agatha, being not to be wrought upon by promises, is tried by cruelty. She is accused of being a Christian; and because she will not worship and sacrifice to idols, is cast into prison, put on the rack, has her breast cut off, and is broiled on the fire. Having gone through all these torments, at length giving up her soul to God, she finished a happy martyrdom in the year 251. Pray for this constancy of spirit under all trials. Be ashamed to be so much outdone by a tender virgin, and pray for her patience. Pray for all those who, wanting courage, are ready to sink under the weight of their troubles, that God would be their support, and send them comfort that they may never lose their hope in Him. Pray for all those who are now in their last agony, that they may surrender their souls into the hands of God, with the holy dispositions of this glorious saint." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother
