Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr
Gospel: Mark 6:7-13
Agatha: A Faithful Handmaid of Christ

Today the Church celebrates the Memorial of St. Agatha of Sicily.

According to The Golden Legend (III.15) by Jacobus de Voragine (13th century), the saint was born in 231 AD into a wealthy noble family in Catania, Sicily. For Christ, she took a vow of virginity and rejected the advances of Quintianus, the Roman governor. Believing he could force her to break her vow and marry him, Quintianus—who was the region’s governor—learned she was a Christian and denounced her during the persecution under Decius.

Quintianus thought St. Agatha would yield to torture and death, but she reaffirmed her faith in prayer: “Jesus Christ, Lord of all, You know my heart and desires. I wish to be all Yours. I am Your sheep: grant me to conquer the devil.”To break her, he sent her to Aphrodisia, a brothel keeper, but she remained steadfast. Summoned again, he argued, threatened, and tortured her: bound to a rack, torn with hooks, burned with torches, scourged, and had her breasts torn off with pincers. Traditionally, she is patroness of chastity, against fire, and breast diseases.

Today’s Gospel (Mark 6:7-13) tells of Jesus sending the Twelve Apostles to preach the Kingdom. This reflects our own call: The merciful Lord calls us, as He did St. Agatha. At baptism, we were cleansed of original sin; by the Holy Spirit, freed from Satan’s slavery—for Christ, by His Passion and Resurrection, won eternal life for us. Anointed by the Spirit, we share Christ’s divine life and triple office (Priest, King, Prophet), obliging us to preach the Kingdom and witness to truth.

In testifying for Christ, we may face pressure to renounce faith, as St. Agatha did. If overwhelmed, let us ask this Virgin Martyr to intercede, that we may stand firm and witness boldly.

May the Virgin Martyr Saint Agatha implore your compassion for us, O Lord, we pray, for she found Favor with you by the courage of her martyrdom and the merit of her chastity. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica