The Footprint of Sant'Agata in Catania
Davide Mauro - CC4.0
According to tradition, the footprints of Sant’Agata are kept, in a small niche, in Catania.
On the north wall of the nave of the church of Sant’Agata al Carcere, next to the door of the Prison, a small niche preserves what tradition indicates as the footsteps of Sant’Agata. According to tradition, the Saint was brought before the praetor Quinziano who questioned her and exhorted her to venerate the pagan gods, and that Agatha replied to such requests: "It is easier for this stone to soften, rather than my heart to your coaxing ". Having said that, tapping his foot on the floor he left his footprints there.
In Sicily there are other similar tales relating to the "foot of Sant'Agata": a first story in the Catania area, near Mascali, and a second story in Palermo, linked to the presumed Palermo origins of the Saint.
