St. Agatha - February 5

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Image of St. Agatha
from Catholic Online

frankly, i'm glad Greta's not old enough yet to understand the biographical information about the saints we've been celebrating, because Saint Agatha has a gruesome tale. she was a noblewoman who refused the advances of the Sicilian governor, and suffered various tortures (including having her breasts cut off) because she would not renounce Christ. after her death, the eruption of Mount Etna threatened to engulf the town where she was buried. according to legend, her veil was held out to the fire, and the flames retreated. she is thus the patroness of breast cancer and breast disease, natural disasters (especially earthquakes, fire, and volcanic eruptions), nurses, sexual assault victims, and bell-founders. 

Collect for the Day:
May the Virgin Martyr Saint Agatha implore your compassion for us, O Lord, we pray, for she found favor with you by the courage of her martyrdom and the merit of her chastity. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

traditionally, St. Agatha's feast day is celebrated with rolls, to symbolize the breasts on a platter with which she is often depicted. to honor her Sicilian heritage, i tried two new recipes tonight, and they are definitely keepers! 


Pesto Pasta with Chicken Sausage and Roasted Brussels Sprouts
-recipe from Gimme Some Oven
(i substituted farfalle and smoked beef sausage for the orecchiette and chicken sausage -- and it was still delicious! my iPhone pic does not do it justice!)


Fast and Fluffy Parmesan Herb Rolls
-recipe from Yammie's Noshery
(i didn't bother shaping them in double knots. they're the perfect complement to the pesto pasta, or, you know, i could probably just eat them by themselves for the rest of my life and be happy.)

Saint Agatha, pray for us!

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