Today, the Church celebrates and prays with Saint Agatha, a virgin and a martyr who is most highly venerated as the Patroness of Sicily. She is believed to have been born either in Palermo or Catania around 231 A.D. and completed her earthly pilgrimage around the year 251 A.D.
From her very early years, this very beautiful girl dedicated her life to God and chose to become a consecrated virgin: choosing to remain celibate and to give her life entirely to Jesus in a life of prayer and service ... but this did not stop men from desiring her. One of those men was Quintianus, a high-ranking diplomat who thought that he could force her to marry. Despite persistent proposals, arrests, physical torture, imprisonment and starvation, she remained faithful to her promise. In fact, she endured all the taunts and torture with a sense of cheer.
The gospel passage for today's Mass places Jesus in his own hometown at the moment when he confirmed: a prophet is not without honor except in his native place (Mk 6:4). These few words have been proven to hold truth, not only in the case of Jesus but in the life of Agatha and many others of the saints. May this young saint intercede for us today and help us to remain steadfast in our belief.
Have a great day.
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