The Church has venerated Saint Agatha since ancient times. As a beautiful girl born of a wealthy third century Sicilian family, Agatha consecrated herself to Jesus at a young age. The Roman Governor Quintian wanted to possess her, but she rejected his immoral advances. Furious, he imprisoned Agatha, beat her, and ordered her breasts to be torn off with iron shears. He then sent to a dungeon to die a painful death, but the Lord sent an angel to heal Agatha and restore her breasts. The enraged Quintian then ordered his executioners to burn her alive. Because of her martyrdom, Saint Agatha is the patron saint of diseases of the breasts, as well as patron of nurses, rape victims, and others.