Dates

• Existence: 235 September 8 - 261 February 5

Biographical note

Born in Sicily, died in Catania, Sicily, approximately 250. Her breasts were cut off and she was thrown in prison, where Saint Peter visited her and cured her chest, though she died still in prison. She is depicted in art holding a pair of pincers or bearing her breasts on a platter; later these were mistaken for loaves of bread, giving rise to the custom of blessing bread on a dish for Saint Agatha's day. She is the patron saint of wet nurses, bell founders, and jewellers.

(paraphrased from The Book of Saints : A Dictionary of Persons Canonized or Beatified by the Catholic Church. 5th edition. New York: Crowell, 1966.)

Alternate names

Agatha of Sicily, Agatha of Catania, Agathe