(d.c.304) Agnes, which means “lamb” in Latin, was a 12- or 13-year-old martyr mentioned in Eucharistic Prayer I. She was born to Roman nobility and was said to be very beautiful. She refused suitors in favor of consecrating her virginity to God and refused to sacrifice to pagan gods. Agnes was tortured and sent to a brothel, where legend says her would-be-violators were struck blind. Her virginity was preserved, and she was beheaded.
Saint Ambrose praised Agnes in his book, On Virginity, published within 70 years of her martyrdom. “It is the birthday of St. Agnes, let men admire, let children take courage, let the married be astounded, let the unmarried take an example…In devotion beyond her age, in virtue above nature, she seems to me to have borne not so much a human name, as a token of martyrdom, whereby she showed what she was to be.” In the saints, we find inspiration that others were able to do what we aspire to. Who has been your inspiration in the Faith and in recovery?
“Christ made my soul beautiful with the jewels of grace and virtue. I belong to Him whom the angels serve” (Saint Agnes).
Reflection by Brad Farmer