Agatha of Sicily
Agatha is one of the most venerated virgin martyrs of the Church from the 3rd century. Born to a noble family, the notably beautiful Agatha dedicated her life to God by becoming a consecrated virgin. That did not stop men, though, from desiring her and making unwanted advances toward her.
One of the men who desired Agatha was Quintianus, a high ranking diplomatic. Thinking he could force her to turn away from her vow and to marry him, he had her arrested under the crime of being a Christian.
Quintianus expected her to give in and abandon the Faith when she was faced with torture and possible death, but she simply reaffirmed her belief in God. Her profession of Faith and rejection of the prefect resulted in her brutal torture, during which her breasts were cut off.
This image of Agatha recalls the moment of her martyrdom. Agatha clutches her bloody, tortured chest, while a divine hand pierces the heavens and brings her the palm of victory.