For the past several days, firefighters have combated wildfires around my beloved Texas. In my home area of Central Texas alone, thousands of acres have burned, hundreds of homes have been lost and scores of families have been evacuated. This is not a normal condition for Central Texas; these are unfortunate incidents that we have sadly watched happen to our neighbors in California, Arizona and New Mexico. But, the severe drought has made conditions ripe for wildfires in Texas.
After the local newscast instilled fear and worry in me last night, I turned to my faith for solace and calm. I wanted to send not only my prayers to God, but I also wanted saintly intercession. So, I naturally searched for the Patron Saint for protection from fire. There are several, but I turned to a familiar name – one I hear often at Holy Mass – Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr. Here’s how Saint Agatha became connected to fire and natural disasters.
A year after her death (around 252), a city survived the volcanic eruption of Sicily’s Mount Etna. People became convinced their city had been spared because of St. Agatha’s prayers. Devotion to her spread beyond Sicily and was so fervent in the early Church that St. Agatha’s name was included in the Roman Canon (First Eucharistic Prayer) recited by the priest at Holy Mass.
She is honored for her courage in suffering and her devotion and commitment to Christ. St. Agatha is the patron saint of Sicily, nurses, bakers, miners, jewelers, Alpine guides, and those suffering from breast cancer. She is also the protector against earthquakes, volcanoes, fires and thunderstorms.
I want to share the following prayer for protection against fire. I pray that you will never need to utter it in desperation, but keep at hand in the event of an unforeseen need.
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]lmighty and eternal God, we ask Your protection against destroying fire. Fire is so very necessary for our existence, and yet, when it gets out of control, it can be more damaging than anything else. Keep our homes, buildings, woods and fields safe from this scourge. Help us always to be most careful in our use of it. Help us especially in the winter time when need and use it most. For then, if our homes are destroyed by fire, we suffer more than ever.
Give us, too, we humbly pray You, a saving fear of the fires of passion, and the help of Your grace to control them. Help us also to fear the fires of hell, that we may always keep away from serious sin, and live lives of goodness and virtue, through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.