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January 21
St. Agnes
(d. 258?)
Almost nothing is known of this saint
except that she was very young—12 or 13—when she was martyred in the last half of the third century. Various modes of death have been suggested—beheading, burning,
strangling.
Legend has it she was a beautiful girl
whom many young men wanted to marry. Among those she refused, one reported her
to the authorities for being a Christian. She was arrested and confined to
a house of prostitution. The legend continues that a man who looked upon her
lustfully lost his sight and had it restored by her prayer. She was condemned,
executed and buried near Rome in a catacomb that eventually was named after
her. The daughter of Constantine built a basilica in her honor.
Comment:
Like that of modern Maria
Goretti, the
martyrdom of a virginal young girl made a deep impression on a society enslaved
to a materialistic outlook. Like Agatha, who died in similar circumstances, Agnes is a symbol that
holiness does not depend on length of years, experience or human effort. It is
a gift God offers to all.
Patron Saint of:
Girls
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