Saint Agnes of Rome
292 - 304
Memorial: January 21
Also known as: Saint Ines
Saint Agnes was a member of the Roman nobility born January 28, 292 and raised in a Christian family. Her name means "pure" in Greek and "lamb" in Latin. She was a beautiful virgin who turned away all suitors, declaring that she could have no spouse but Jesus. Many young men wanted to marry her. She said that to do so would be an insult to her heavenly Spouse, that she would keep her consecrated virginity intact, accept death, and see Christ. Living as a Christian in the time of the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian, she was under constant threat of torture and death.
Among those she refused was the son of the prefect Sempronius. This
prefect wished Agnes to marry his son, and on Agnes' second refusal he reported
her to the authorities as being a Christian and condemned her to death. Roman
law did not permit the execution of virgins. Legends tell of her being thrown into a brothel, where her purity was
miraculously preserved. The only man who attempted to violate her was the son of
the prefect. He struck
blind, but Saint Agnes healed him with prayer. The prefect heard what happened
to his son and ran to the brothel, accusing Agnes. He then wanted to let Agnes
go, but fearing being banished, put a lieutenant in his place who first tried to
kill Agnes by a fire which didn't harm her, and then ended up killing her with a
sword. She became a martyr at the age of 12.
Saint Agnes is
buried beside the Via Nomentana in Rome. It is said that her execution shocked many Romans and helped bring an end
to the persecutions.
Soon after her death, Agnes became a favorite saint. One of Emperor
Constantine's daughters built a church at the site of Agnes' grave. The wool of two lambs is blessed at the Church of Saint Agnes in Rome.
This wool is then woven into the pallium (stole of white wool) which the pope
wears and confers on archbishops as a symbol of their respective jurisdiction.
Her virginity and heroism are renowned, and her name occurs in the prayer "Nobis
quoque peccatoribus," in the Canon of the Mass.
Patron Saint: betrothed couples; chastity;
Children of Mary; engaged couples; gardeners; Girl Scouts; girls; rape victims;
virgins
| Prayer to
Saint Agnes of Rome
Christ Jesus, Saint Agnes was
only a teenager when she had to decide between life and dying for You.
She had been ordered to sacrifice her virginity to pagan gods, and she
sacrificed her life instead. Since she is the patron saint of engaged
couples, I ask her to intercede for all the folks I know who are dating,
planning to get married, divorced and lonely, co-habitating, married
without the Sacrament, and everyone else who is facing the temptation of
sexual relations outside of marriage. Help them to grow in their
intimacy with You, and teach them to rely on You to remain pure and
chaste. Saint Agnes, pray for us. |
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