Saint Agatha
2019 / acrylic on canvas / 11” x 14” (18mm thick)
patroness of rape victims and breast cancer patients
feast / February 05
~~~
"Lord, my Creator, you have ever protected me from the cradle; you have taken me from the love of the world, and given me patience to suffer: receive now my soul." // Saint Agatha
Agatha’s story has been such a light in darkness for me. If you have experienced assault in any form and now struggle to see yourself as good, allow yourself to be inspired by this woman. She was imprisoned in a brothel, repeatedly raped, and horrendously tortured—including having her breasts cut off! Praise God, she did not allow any of this to define her dignity and identity.
"Agatha, the name of our saint, means 'good.' She was truly good, for she lived as a child of God. She was also given as the gift of God, the source of all goodness to her bridegroom, Christ, and to us. For she grants us a share in her goodness." // Saint Methodius of Sicily
Saint Agatha has been instrumental in the healing process of how I view my dignity, in seeing myself as good regardless of what has happened to me.