St. Agatha, a young Christian woman of Catania in Sicily, was cruelly tortured and martyred around the year 251 for refusing to give up her faith and her consecrated virginity. Because her torturers cut off her breasts, she has become the patron saint of women with breast cancer and other diseases of the breast, and of the nurses who care for them; and because her veil was said to have stopped a flow of lava from Mount Etna, she is invoked against fire and volcanic eruptions. Her name is spoken in the Roman Canon of the Mass. Below are prayers to St. Agatha for healing, for survivors and caregivers and for protection, Scripture, and her story.
A prayer to St. Agatha
Written for this page:
St. Agatha, brave virgin and martyr,
you suffered terrible wounds rather than deny Christ,
and the Lord healed and strengthened you.
Pray for me, that I may be faithful in suffering
and trust that God’s grace is enough for me.
Obtain for me the grace I ask: (name your intention). Amen.
A prayer for women with breast cancer
St. Agatha, you know the pain and fear of a wounded body.
I entrust to you (name), who is facing breast cancer.
Stay with her through tests, surgery and treatment.
Ask the Lord to guide her doctors and nurses, to heal her body,
and to give her courage, peace and the love of family and friends.
And may she always know that her dignity and beauty come from God. Amen.
This prayer was written for this page. See also the Catholic prayer for healing and the prayer before surgery.
A prayer of thanksgiving for survivors
St. Agatha, thank you for your prayers.
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of healing and for every day of life.
Help me to live with gratitude, to support others who are suffering,
and to trust you with the future. Amen.
This prayer was written for this page.
A prayer for nurses and caregivers
St. Agatha, patron of nurses,
bless all who care for the sick, especially women with cancer.
Give them skill, compassion and rest,
and let their care be a sign of God’s tenderness. Amen.
This prayer was written for this page.
A prayer for protection from fire
St. Agatha, protector of Catania,
watch over our homes and our cities.
Protect us from fire, earthquake and eruption,
and keep us safe in every danger. Amen.
This prayer was written for this page.
Scripture for St. Agatha
Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
And he said to me: My grace is sufficient for thee; for power is made perfect in infirmity. Gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
For which cause I please myself in my infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ. For when I am weak, then am I powerful.
The story of St. Agatha
Agatha was one of the most venerated virgin martyrs of the early Church; her name is included, with Felicity, Perpetua, Lucy, Agnes, Cecilia and Anastasia, in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I). Her Acts, written later, tell this story:
- She was a beautiful young woman of a noble family in Sicily who had consecrated her virginity to Christ.
- During the persecution of the emperor Decius, the governor Quintianus desired her and, when she refused him, had her arrested as a Christian.
- She was handed over to a brothel-keeper to break her will, but remained steadfast; she was then tortured, and her breasts were cut off.
- In prison that night, St. Peter appeared to her and healed her wounds.
- She was tortured again and died in prison at Catania on February 5, 251.
A year after her death, according to tradition, Mount Etna erupted and the people of Catania carried her veil in procession; the lava stopped before the city. St. Lucy of Syracuse later prayed at her tomb for her sick mother, who was healed.
Feast day and patronage
- Feast day: February 5. In Catania her festival, one of the largest religious festivals in Europe, lasts from February 3 to 5. A novena can run from January 27 to February 4.
- Patron of: women with breast cancer and breast disease, nurses, Catania, Malta, bell-founders, and protection against fire, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
- Symbols: a dish holding her breasts, pincers or shears, a palm, a veil and a burning building.
Frequently asked questions
Why is St. Agatha the patron saint of breast cancer?
Because during her martyrdom her breasts were cut off, and because St. Peter is said to have healed her wounds in prison. Women with breast cancer and breast disease have long asked her prayers.
When is St. Agatha’s feast day?
February 5.
Why is St. Agatha invoked against fire?
Because, according to tradition, her veil stopped the lava of Mount Etna from reaching Catania a year after her death.
What is St. Agatha the patron saint of?
Breast cancer patients, nurses, Catania and Malta, bell-founders, and protection from fire and volcanoes.
More prayers
- St. Agnes prayer
- St. Lucy prayer
- St. Peregrine prayer for cancer
- St. Cecilia prayer
- Patron saints of healing
- Prayers to popular saints
- Saint feast days
Texts and sources
- Scripture: Matthew 5:10; 2 Corinthians 12:9–10, Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
- The prayers were written for this page.