Prayers to Saint Agatha [For Those Suffering from Breast Cancer]

Prayers to Saint Agatha

Patroness of bell-founders; breast cancer; breast disease; against fire; earthquakes; fire; fire prevention; jewelers; martyrs; natural disasters; nurses; rape victims; single laywomen; sterility; torture victims; volcanic eruptions; wet-nurses

Lord God, you showered heavenly gifts on the virgin Agatha. Hear the prayers of those who recall her devoted life and who ask her to intercede for them in their necessity. (Mention your intention here...)

Help us to imitate her virtue during our earthly life and enjoy eternal happiness with her in heaven. Amen.

O God, Who among the other marvels of Thy power, hast granted even to the weaker sex the victory of martyrdom; mercifully grant: that we who celebrate the Heavenly birthday of blessed Agatha, Thy Virgin and Martyr, may, by her example, draw nearer to Thee. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

Dear Virgin and Martyr, whom the Church recalls in her liturgy, you heroically resisted the temptations of a degenerate ruler. Subjected to long and horrible tortures, you remained faithful to your heavenly Spouse. Saint Peter, we are told, gave you some solace and so you are invoked by nurses. Encourage them to see Christ in the sick and to render true service to them. Amen.

Feast day: February 5

Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr

Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr
Memorial
February 5th

Francisco de Zurbaran
St Agatha
1630-33 -- Oil on canvas
Musée Fabre, Montpellier

History:
One of the most highly venerated virgin martyrs of Christian antiquity, put to death for her steadfast profession of faith in Catania, Sicily. Although it is uncertain in which persecution this took place, we may accept, as probably based on ancient tradition, the evidence of her legendary life, composed at a later date, to the effect that her martyrdom occurred during the persecution of Decius (250-253).
Her name appears in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I).
Collect:
Lord,
Let Your forgiveness be won for us
by the pleading of Saint Agatha,
who found favor with You by her chastity
and by her courage in suffering death for the Gospel.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. +Amen.
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Consider your call, brethren; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth; but God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong, God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption; therefore, as it is written, "Let him who boasts, boast of the Lord."
Gospel Reading: Luke 9:23-26
And He[Jesus] said to all, "If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for My sake, he will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed when He comes in His glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

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