Who is Saint Agatha?
Her feast day is February 5th.
Click here to go to Saint of the Day to read about her.

February 5, Feast of St. Agatha

Saint Agatha is the patroness of nurses, foundry workers, miners, jewelers, and Alpine guides. She is invoked against fire, earthquakes, famine, thunderstorms, and volcanic eruptions. In Italy, her feast day is celebrated with fireworks. According to some stories, Agatha was born in Sicily of noble parents in the third century. Her loveliness and kindness came to the attention of Quintian, governor of Sicily. He put her into prison for being a Christian, and there she underwent the extreme tortures that finally killed her. Art shows her holding a plate, a candle, or a house in flames.

It is certain that Agatha was a martyr. She probably died during the persecutions under the emperor Decius between 240 and 251. Agatha’s name came to be included in the canon of the Roman Mass. She is honored for her courage in suffering and in remaining pure for the sake of Christ.