Feast Day of St. Agatha and Future Saint Analee

While my husband and I were praying morning prayers in the Magnificat, we noticed the today was the feast day of St. Agatha. Last year, when Analee, my one year old daughter, was born on this day, I thought it was nice to have her birthday on a saint's feast day, but at that time, I didn't know anything about this saint and I didn't think anything more of it (I had just given birth, give me a break!). I had forgotten about this feast day until just this morning when I thought it would be really special if Analee grew up with a special connection with this saint and grew to imitate her holiness. I did a little research and found out that parts of St. Agatha's story may be inappropriate for little children, so Analee will have to wait a few years before she learns the whole story. St. Agatha is often depicted holding a plate on which lie her own slashed breasts. Before you start thinking how Catholics must be the most deranged people on the face of the earth, let me tell you the story. Or rather, in an effort to save time, please visit these websites to read the story behind Agatha.

• http://breastcancer.about.com/b/2008/02/05/saint-agatha-patron-saint-for-breast-cancer.htm
• http://catholicfire.blogspot.com/2010/02/st-agatha-virgin-and-martyr.html
  

While this is an inspiring story of why her breasts are on a plate, I won't be placing this holy image on my daughter's wall! Because of this, St. Agatha is the patron saint of Breast Cancer. Seems logical. Also, she is the patron saint of against earthquakes, fires, volcanic eruptions (again, there is another story for that one) and sterility. She is also the patron saint of torture victims, jewelers, nurses, single lay women, and bell makers.
I will post a pic or two of Analee's birthday later, but for now, I wanted to share her Saint whose holiness will, I pray, be an inspiration to my daughter in her years to come.