t, he was released,[1] and the sentence of death was
changed by the sultan into banishment. Wherefore, embarking for Italy,
he landed at Venice; and after two years' absence arrived at Leonissa.
He resumed his apostolic labors in his Own country with extraordinary
zeal, and an uncommon benediction from heaven. To complete his
sacrifice, he suffered very much towards the end of his life from a
painful cancer, to extirpate which he underwent two incisions without
the least groan or complaint, only repeating: "Holy Mary, pray for us
miserable afflicted sinners:" and holding all the while a crucifix to
his hand, on which he fixed his eyes. When some said, before the
operation, that he ought to be bound or held, he pointed to the
crucifix, saying: "This is the strongest band: this will hold me unmoved
better than any cords could do." The operation proving unsuccessful, the
saint happily expired, on the 4th day of February, in 1612, being
fifty-eight years old. His name was inserted in the Roman Martyrology on
the 4th of February. See the history of his miracles in the acts of his
beatification, which ceremony was performed by Clement XII. in 1737, and
in those of his canonization by Benedict XIV. in 1746. Acta
Canonizationis 5 Sanctorum, viz. Fidelis a Sigmaringa, M. Camilli de
Lelia, Petri Regalati, Josephi a Leonissa, and Catharinaea de Riccis, a
Benedicto XIV., an. 1746, printed at Rome an. 1749, pp. 11, 85, and the
bull for his canonization, p. 558. Also Bollan. t. 15, p. 127.

Footnotes:
1. Some say he was released by an angel, after hanging three days, but
this circumstance is not mentioned by Benedict XIV., in the decree
for his canonization, p. 559.

FEBRUARY V.

ST. AGATHA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR.

We have her panegyrics by St. Aldhelm, in the seventh, and St.
Methodius, patriarch of Constantinople, in the ninth, centuries; also a
hymn in her honor among the poems of pope Damasus, and another by St.
Isidore of Seville, in Bollandus, p. 596. The Greeks have interpolated
her acts, but those in Latin are very ancient. They are abridged by
Tillemont, t. 3, p. 409. See also Rocci Pyrrho, in Sicilia Sacra on
Palermo, Catana, and Malta.

A. D 251.

THE cities of Palermo and Catana, in Sicily, dispute the honor of her
birth: but they do much better who, by copying her virtues, and claiming
her patronage, strive to become her fellow-citizens in heaven. It is
agreed that she received the crown of martyrdom at Ca