SUNSET PARK — In the Diocese of Brooklyn, there is a retired religious sister who is a picture of good health — vibrant, active, and filled with joy. However, one might be surprised to learn that she fought off breast cancer — twice.
The sister credits St. Agatha, the patron saint of breast cancer patients, not for curing her but instead for the saint’s intercession that helped her endure the disease and the harsh oncological treatments needed to keep it at bay.
The sister asked to be anonymous to keep her medical condition private. Still, her story is an example of the power of intercession … and the need is great.
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women. The organization also reports that an estimated 310,720 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024, and 42,250 women will die of the disease.
“Because most of the cancers can come back, they say you’re in remission, but if you pray to St. Agatha, you get the courage and the strength to do whatever you need to do,” the sister said. “You’re able to function.”
St. Agatha’s feast day is Feb. 5, but her story is appropriately shared in October — Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Church history shows Agatha was born in 231 in Catania, a community on the island of Sicily, then part of the Roman Empire. She died there 20 years later as a consecrated virgin who was persecuted and martyred for her faith in the risen Christ, Jesus.
Agatha’s trouble began when a Roman diplomat, Quintianus, persistently sought to marry her, but she refused, having been consecrated to the Lord. So, Quintianus tried to pressure her via the persecution of Christians ordered by the new Roman emperor, Decius.
Yet, facing torture and possible death, Agatha chose Christ over marriage.
The enraged diplomat ordered her to be held for one month in a brothel where she was forced to watch the sexual abuse of women, but she was undeterred.
Desperate, Quintianus had her tortured with metal hooks, whips, and flames. He also ordered the severing of her breasts.
She landed in prison where, Church tradition holds, St. Peter appeared to her in a vision and healed her wounds through prayer.
Although, Quintianus wasn’t done. He had her stripped naked and rolled over burning coals spiked with pottery shards.
Then, back in prison, Agatha prayed, “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.”
Agatha died a short time later. Her canonization was approved by St. Pope Gregory I sometime during his papacy, which lasted from 590 to 604.
For all that she endured, St. Agatha is more than the patron of breast cancer patients, she is also the intercessor for rape victims, burn victims, and wet nurses.
However, her patronage for breast cancer patients is taken to heart at a local church named in her honor in Sunset Park. There, parishioners pray for the saint’s intercession at the end of the 8 a.m. Mass each Thursday in the chapel of St. Agatha’s Parish convent.
“I encourage people to have a devotion to St. Agatha, especially women,” said Father Peter Bai, pastor at St. Agatha Parish. “And then,” he added, “I tell husbands to pray for their wives.”
