About St. Agatha
St. Agatha was a young Christian virgin and martyr who lived in Sicily during the third century. Born into a wealthy and noble family, she dedicated her life and virginity entirely to Christ. During the persecution under Emperor Decius, she refused to renounce her faith or marry the Roman governor Quintianus. Because of her steadfast devotion to Jesus, she endured cruel torture and ultimately gave her life for the faith around A.D. 251.
St. Agatha is especially honored as the patron saint of those suffering from breast cancer, survivors and victims of sexual abuse, nurses, bellmakers, and people seeking purity and courage. Her unwavering faith in the midst of suffering continues to inspire Catholics around the world to trust in God’s grace during times of illness and persecution.
Her feast day is celebrated each year on February 5.
Who was St. Agatha?
St. Agatha was a third-century Christian virgin and martyr from Sicily who gave her life rather than deny Jesus Christ. She is one of the most beloved early saints of the Catholic Church.
What is St. Agatha the patron saint of?
St. Agatha is the patron saint of:
- Breast cancer patients
- Survivors and victims of sexual abuse
- Nurses
- Bellmakers
- Sicily
- People seeking purity, courage, and strength during suffering
What is the St. Agatha Novena for?
The St. Agatha Novena is prayed to ask for her powerful intercession for:
- Healing from breast cancer and other illnesses
- Strength during suffering
- Protection from violence and abuse
- Purity of heart and body
- Courage to remain faithful to Christ
- Special personal intentions
When should I pray the St. Agatha Novena?
The novena may be prayed at any time of the year. Many Catholics begin it on January 27, finishing on her feast day, February 5. It is also commonly prayed before surgery, during illness, or while seeking strength through difficult trials.
How do you pray the St. Agatha Novena?
Pray the opening prayer each day for nine consecutive days, present your personal intention, and conclude with:
- Pray One: Our Father…
- Pray One: Hail Mary…
- Pray One: Glory Be…
Why is St. Agatha associated with breast cancer?
According to tradition, St. Agatha suffered severe torture, including the mutilation of her breasts, because she refused to abandon her Christian faith. For this reason, Catholics have long turned to her intercession for those suffering from breast diseases, breast cancer, and other serious illnesses.
Is St. Agatha mentioned in the Roman Canon of the Mass?
Yes. St. Agatha is one of the early virgin martyrs whose name is included in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I), alongside saints such as Lucy, Agnes, Cecilia, and Anastasia, reflecting the Church’s deep veneration for her witness.
What can we learn from St. Agatha?
St. Agatha teaches us to remain faithful to Christ regardless of suffering or persecution. Her life is a powerful example of purity, courage, perseverance, forgiveness, and complete trust in God’s will.
| Novena Begins: | January 27 |
| Feast Day: | February 5 |
Patron Saint of Rape Victims, Breast Cancer Patients
Day 1 – St. Agatha Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O holy St. Agatha, pray for us and for our troubled world. Pray for all survivors and victims of sexual abuse. Pray for those who are suffering from breast cancer. Help us to imitate your faith, courage, and steadfast love for God. May we remain faithful servants of Christ, even in times of suffering and trial.
St. Agatha, pray for us.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 2 – St. Agatha Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O holy St. Agatha, pray for us and for our troubled world. Pray for all survivors and victims of sexual abuse. Pray for those who are suffering from breast cancer. Help us to imitate your faith, courage, and steadfast love for God. May we remain faithful servants of Christ, even in times of suffering and trial.
St. Agatha, pray for us.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 3 – St. Agatha Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O holy St. Agatha, pray for us and for our troubled world. Pray for all survivors and victims of sexual abuse. Pray for those who are suffering from breast cancer. Help us to imitate your faith, courage, and steadfast love for God. May we remain faithful servants of Christ, even in times of suffering and trial.
St. Agatha, pray for us.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 4 – St. Agatha Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O holy St. Agatha, pray for us and for our troubled world. Pray for all survivors and victims of sexual abuse. Pray for those who are suffering from breast cancer. Help us to imitate your faith, courage, and steadfast love for God. May we remain faithful servants of Christ, even in times of suffering and trial.
St. Agatha, pray for us.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 5 – St. Agatha Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O holy St. Agatha, pray for us and for our troubled world. Pray for all survivors and victims of sexual abuse. Pray for those who are suffering from breast cancer. Help us to imitate your faith, courage, and steadfast love for God. May we remain faithful servants of Christ, even in times of suffering and trial.
St. Agatha, pray for us.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 6 – St. Agatha Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O holy St. Agatha, pray for us and for our troubled world. Pray for all survivors and victims of sexual abuse. Pray for those who are suffering from breast cancer. Help us to imitate your faith, courage, and steadfast love for God. May we remain faithful servants of Christ, even in times of suffering and trial.
St. Agatha, pray for us.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 7 – St. Agatha Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O holy St. Agatha, pray for us and for our troubled world. Pray for all survivors and victims of sexual abuse. Pray for those who are suffering from breast cancer. Help us to imitate your faith, courage, and steadfast love for God. May we remain faithful servants of Christ, even in times of suffering and trial.
St. Agatha, pray for us.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 8 – St. Agatha Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O holy St. Agatha, pray for us and for our troubled world. Pray for all survivors and victims of sexual abuse. Pray for those who are suffering from breast cancer. Help us to imitate your faith, courage, and steadfast love for God. May we remain faithful servants of Christ, even in times of suffering and trial.
St. Agatha, pray for us.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 9 – St. Agatha Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O holy St. Agatha, pray for us and for our troubled world. Pray for all survivors and victims of sexual abuse. Pray for those who are suffering from breast cancer. Help us to imitate your faith, courage, and steadfast love for God. May we remain faithful servants of Christ, even in times of suffering and trial.
St. Agatha, pray for us.
Amen.
(Mention your request here…)
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Leave us your prayers…