The Healing Journey

February 5, 2024

“One of the great insights of prayer is that our lives are not in our control.”
— Sister Wendy Beckett

Sister Wendy Beckett, the acclaimed art historian whose bestselling books and BBC documentaries enthralled millions, wrote a book on prayer near the end of her life. In one chapter on suffering, she offered a commentary on a painting by Giambattista Tiepolo titled, “The Martyrdom of Saint Agatha.” Sister said the painting was “the most powerful expression of faith and suffering that I know.”

The 15-year-old saint’s martyrdom was horrifying and the painting spares no detail. Trying to decipher the look on the saint’s face, Sister said, “In shock over the horror of what has been done to her, fading out of life, she still tells us with every aspect of her body that she knows God is with her. He answers her prayer by suffering within her, making the insupportable possible.”

We are not martyrs. And many of us, when we’re confronted with pain or abuse or death, blame God. “Where were you, God?” “How could you let this happen?” “You’re supposed to be infinitely loving, and look what you’ve done to me.” “It’s not right, and it’s not fair.” There is a long list of accusations and complaints that we hurl at God, particularly when someone we love dies suddenly or as a result of violence.

We often feel God has let us down.

We may not have the faith of St. Agatha, but her life and death offer us a model as we journey toward healing and spiritual growth.

Let’s pray for her intercession on her feast day today, February 5. She is patron of breast cancer patients, nurses and victims of sexual abuse.

Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us Your martyr, St. Agatha, as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You she showed in choosing to pursue the vocation of consecrated virginity from a young age.

St. Agatha, you chose to make a vow of virginity and consecrate yourself to God when you were just 15 years old. You must have known that this path was not an easy one, since you lived in a society that was hostile to Christianity. But you desired to dedicate yourself to God. Please bring my petitions before

God Whom you longed to serve!

You held fast to your vow of virginity, your vocation, and your faith, despite many sufferings. Pray for me, that I may hold fast to my faith no matter the cost. Pray that I may be zealous in my desire to serve God, as you were. Please also pray for (mention your intentions).

St. Agatha, pray for us!

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God, my pain is unbearable. Please be with me in my suffering. Show me how to get through this terrible situation.