LIFE OF SAINT AGNES ST. AGNES ST. AGNES, “Patroness of the Children of Mary,” has always been looked upon by the Church as a special patroness of bodily purity and is one of the most popular Christian saints. Her name is commemorated in the Canon of the Mass. The exact date of her birth is not known, but it is believed to be during the middle or the end of the third century. We learn from St. Ambrose and St. Augustine that she was only thirteen years old at the time of her glorious death. Her wealth and beauty lured the young noblemen of the first families in Rome to contend as rivals for her hand, seeking her love and affection. Agnes refused them all, saying that she had already chosen a Spouse Who could never be seen by any mortal eyes. “Christ is my Spouse,” she said. “He chose me first and I’ll be His. He made my soul beautiful with the jewels of grace and virtue. I belong to Him Whom angels serve.” Her suitors, finding her resolution sturdy and unshakable, accused her before the governor of Rome as a Christian, at that time considered a great crime which punishable by death, not doubting that threats and torments would prove more effective on her whom allurements could make no impression. The judge at first employed the mildest expression and most seductive promises. In spite all these, however, Agnes remained firm and steadfast, repeating always that she could have no other spouse than the Lord Jesus Christ. He then made use of threats but he found out that she was endowed with masculine courage, and was even eager to suffer torment and death. At last, terrible fires were made, and iron hooks, racks and other instruments of torture were displayed before her, with threats of immediate death. She just looked at them undismayed, and was even cheerful in the presence of the fierce and cruel executioners. She was far from betraying the least symptom of fear and terror that she even expressed her joy at the sight of all these, and she even offered herself to the rack. She was then dragged before the pagan goddess Minerva to offer incense to her. But, as St. Ambrose tells us, she was by no means compelled to move her hand, except to make the sign of the cross. This was a proof of her solemn vow of chastity to Christ, whom she had loved more than her own life, and had consecrated her heart to Him. The governor, seeing his measures ineffectual, sent her to a prostitution house in the city, where what she highly prized should be exposed to the insults of the brutal youths of Rome. But Agnes was firm as ever. She told him: “Jesus Christ is too jealous of the purity of His chosen ones to let them suffer in such a manner, for He is their defender and protector. You may stain your sword with my blood but never will you be able to profane my body.” The sight of her in the prostitution house inspired such fear and awe among the wicked Roman youths that none dared to approach her. While the others turned away from her, a Young man bolder than the rest dared to look at her with lust and sinful thoughts. He was immediately struck blind by a flash, as if a lightning from heaven, and fell to the ground trembling. His companions, terrified after seeing what happened, brought him to Agnes who was then singing hymns of praises to Christ, her protector. The virgin restored the eyesight of the young man through her prayers. The chief accuser of the young saint, who had at first sought to satisfy his lust and avarice, was now in a spirit of vindictiveness. He incited the judge still more against Agnes. The governor need no encouragement, for he was highly irked by the defiance to his command by this young saint. He condemned her to be beheaded, and Agnes, upon hearing the sentence, went to the place of execution happily. As St. Ambrose said: “She went to the place of execution more cheerfully than others, who go to their wedding.” The executioner had instructions to induce her to surrender her resolution, but she was more firm at the nearing hour of her death than she was during her life. After reciting a short prayer, she bowed her head to receive the sword. Those who witnessed the execution shed tears to see this young maiden fettered with chains. With a trembling hand, the execution dealt the death blow in one stroke, severing completely her head from her pure body. Her immortal and sinless soul took its flight to heaven and there to meet her Immortal Spouse Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.
Posted on: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 11:32:41 +0000
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