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St. Agnes
Taken from StAgnes.orgBorn: 291Died: 304
Patron of: young girls, chastity, rape survivors
Canonization: No official date due, but is a martyr
Agnes grew up in a wealthy, Christian family. She was a beautiful girl whose hand was sought by many for marriage. However, Agnes had made a promise to God to never stain her purity and would respond to any suitor, "Jesus Christ is my only Spouse." No matter of bribes or enticements could get her to change her mind.
According to tradition, the suitors went away angry and one even went so far as to turn her into the local authorities for being a Christian. She was put on trial and encouraged to denounce her faith, but she refused. There are several different stories about her punishment. Some say she was sentenced to life in a brothel, where she was protected by angels who blinded any man who try to lie with her. Some say she was sentenced to be drug through the streets naked, but her hair immediately grew to cover her body. She was sentenced to death by burning at the stake, but this too was unsuccessful. An officer drew his sword and beheaded her. It is believed that fellow Christians soaked up her blood with cloths. At the age of 12 or 13 she became a virgin-martyr having happily walked to her death to meet her Spouse.
The name "Agnes" comes from the same word "agnus" which means lamb. On her feast day, January 21, every year, the Pope blesses 2 lambs. The wool taken from these lambs is made into palliums - special circular stoles - which are given to the new archbishops each June.
Read more about the caring and preparing of these lambs for the blessing at AmericanMagazine.org.
Read more about Palliums at VaticanNews.vaWays to Celebrate:
Eat lamb for dinner
Make a lamb cake for dessert
Do a craft with Wool
Meditate on the relationship between St. Agnes and her Eternal Spouse, Jesus Christ, who is the Paschal Lamb
Make red Jello shaped hearts to remind you of St. Agnes' love for Jesus and martyrdom