St. Agatha, February 5
A young Christian of Catania, Sicily, Agatha refused the advances of a Roman official and died a martyr around 251 after brutal torture. She is invoked against fire and the eruptions of Mount Etna. Her name appears in the ancient Roman Canon of the Mass.
On the General Roman Calendar, February 5 is a memorial: Saint Agatha, virgin and martyr.
Other saints on February 5
- St. Avitus, bishop of Vienne (518)
Name days on February 5
In countries that keep name days, February 5 is the day for people named Agatha.
| Name | Feast day |
|---|---|
| Agatha | February 5 |
February 5 on the calendar
February 5 is the 36th day of the year, with 329 days left until December 31. Here is the day of the week it falls on in the coming years:
| Year | Day |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday |
| 2027 | Friday |
| 2028 | Saturday |
| 2029 | Monday |
| 2030 | Tuesday |
Keeping February 5
February 5 falls in winter. As a memorial, the saint is named in the opening prayer of every Mass celebrated that day. Families who keep name days often mark the day with a card, a candle or a favorite meal, and parishes named after the saint may hold a festival. If you know someone named Agatha, it is a good day to send a note.
Saints of the week around February 5
| Date | Saint or feast |
|---|---|
| February 2 | Presentation of the Lord |
| February 3 | St. Blaise |
| February 4 | St. Joan of Valois |
| February 6 | St. Paul Miki and Companions |
| February 7 | St. Richard the Pilgrim |
| February 8 | St. Josephine Bakhita |
The day before, February 4, is the day of St. Joan of Valois. The day after, February 6, belongs to St. Paul Miki and Companions. Looking for a name? Try the name day calendar or go back to today’s saint.