SAINT AGNES
Almighty and eternal God, You choose the weak things of this world to put the strong to shame.

Grant that we may enjoy the benefits of the prayers of your Virgin and Martyr, St. Agnes

AGNES Was only twelve year old when she was led to the altar of the pagan goddess. Minerva in Rome to offer incense to her. But she raised her hands to Jesus Christ and made the Sign of the Cross.

The soldiers bound her hands and feet. Her young hands were so thin that the chains slipped from her wrists. When the judge saw that she was not afraid of pain. he had her clothes stripped off, and she had to stand in the street before a pagan crowd. She cried out, "Christ will guard His own"

While the crowd turned away from her, a young man dared to look at her with  sinful thoughts. A flash of lightning struck him blind.

Agnes was offered the hand of a rich young man in marriage, but she answered, "Christ is my Spouse. He chose me first and His I will be. He made my soul beautiful with the jewels of grace and virtue. I belong to Him whom the angels serve.

After having prayed, she bowed her neck to the sword. At one stroke her head was cut off, and  the angels  took her soul to heaven.

The name Agnes comes from the Latin word agnus, meaning lamb, and reminds us of the gentleness of this young saint.