Her breasts, of course. Don't you know your bizarro saints?

The poor thing was tortured to death, but everyone either didn't want to think of the ickyness of her carrying them around on the platter so it was assumed they were bells, and that's how she became the patron of bellmakers.

Can't think of her name, though.

There's also a patron of mad dogs. The Lord wanted to make him patron of young girls, but he said, "All they'll do is annoy me with prayers for husbands! I'd rather be patron of mad dogs!"

Not St. Agnes?

(No, it's not -- just googled. If I were at home, I'd look at my Art History books. Why can't I remember that woman's name?)

Saint Agatha. I couldn't find any good medieval images though.

Well, there's this one.

Well, there's this one.

Ouch!

Yeah, the ones where she's beaming rapturously and carrying them around are much less disturbing than the event itself.

I could only find a modern image of that with a quick google. I'll check when I get home and can google an actual artist/place.

The phrase "Catherine's wheel" comes from the burning wheel St. Catherine was strapped to in her martyrdom. Martyrology is not for the squeamish.

St Agatha (and her bells): [link]

eta...

Hil, did you get through the NT book called "Acts" or "The Acts of the Apostles"? That's probably the best vision of the early church, post Jesus, but pre Holy Roman Empire.

Martyrology is not for the squeamish.

It's great if you have a black sense of humor, though.

My friend Josh threw a St. Ursula party in college.