This Saturday, Pope Leo XIV appointed Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, as Pontifical Legate for the celebrations on August 16 and 17 marking the 900th anniversary of the return of the relics of Saint Agatha to Catania, Italy. Saint Agatha of Catania was a young woman who consecrated her virginity to God and died a martyr during the persecution of Roman Emperor Decius in the 3rd century. The proconsul Quincianus, governor of Sicily, sought her hand in marriage, but she refused. Angered by her refusals, Quincianus had her taken to a brothel as punishment. Agatha managed to preserve the vow of virginity she had made to the Lord. He then ordered her to be subjected to mockery and insults, and finally to torture. Her executioners cut off her breasts and murdered her. It was the year 251. Agatha was 21 years old.
In a letter to Cardinal Parolin, the Holy Father highlighted Saint Agatha’s “outstanding example of fidelity to Christ.” Her witness, the Pope said, demonstrates “the victory of grace over violence, of faith over fear, and of charity over death.” Her martyrdom was “the complete offering of herself out of love.”Pope Leo also recognized the saint’s “free and unconquered will,” noting that she did not yield despite injustice and suffering.
He emphasized that Catania has in Saint Agatha a “spiritual patroness and mother” and a “living presence” that inspires the entire community toward “evangelical consistency, hope, and charity.”“We rejoice greatly, therefore, at the commemoration of the 9th centenary of the providential return of the relics of Saint Agatha the Martyr to the metropolis of Etnea,” the Pope wrote, before formally asking Cardinal Parolin to preside over “the solemnities of the Masses in her honor, to manifest Our affection towards the community of the faithful gathered there.”
Along with the Secretary of State, the Pontifical Mission will include Fr. Vincenzo Branchina, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Catania, and Fr. Roberto Interlandi, Chancellor to the Archbishop. It was the Metropolitan Archbishop of Catania, Msgr. Luigi Renna, who requested Cardinal Parolin’s presence.“Turning Our attention, therefore, to this request, We are fully convinced that You, who diligently exercise the office of Secretary of State and maintain special ties with this illustrious city, will feel very happy to act in Our place there, manifesting Our closeness to the beloved community of the faithful of Catania,” the Holy Father wrote.
He added that Cardinal Parolin is granted the power to “greet and bless in Our name the Archbishop of Catania, the entire assembly of the faithful, and the public authorities” during the occasion. The Pope also exhorted the faithful that, following the example of “this good Bride of Christ” and continually meditating on the glorious Cross, they may “learn from her example to strive without delay for the true good, which is God alone.”