Faithful St. Agnes of St. Agnes of Rome was born around 291, at the end of the era when Christianity was illegal. She was raised by devoted Christian parents who were very wealthy. Many influential men attempted to win Agnes’s hand in marriage, but her only interest was in devoting her life to the Lord as a . Some of the men who attempted to court Agnes were angered by her refusal to consider them and reported her to the Roman government as a follower of Christ. One particular man, the son of a powerful Roman governor, made numerous efforts to impress Agnes, using gifts to try to lure her away from her devotion to Christ, but Agnes remained steadfast in her faith. The man brought Agnes before his father and officially accused her of practicing Christianity. The governor -con tinued to try to convince Agnes to accept his son, and even imprisoned her in chains, but Agnes courageously refused to relent. Agnes was eventually condemned to death, but she was unfazed by her sentence, even as many pagan Romans implored her to save her life by yielding to the Roman authorities’ demands. Agnes was soon brutally martyred by beheading. She was only twelve years old when she gave her life for Christ. Agnes is widely celebrated today not only because of her virtuous life and courageous martyrdom but also due to her youth; she is one of the youngest canonized in the . She sought to preserve herself in devotion to the Lord and is a model for all who seek to serve the Lord with purity, chastity, and fortitude. St. Agnes is the patron of young girls. Her feast day is January 21. Reading Comprehension 1. Why was Agnes not interested in the advances of the men who were trying to court her? 2. What did the Roman governor try to convince Agnes to do? 3. What are two reasons that Agnes is widely celebrated today? Writing Task Research an image of St. Agnes. Describe the image and what it represents about her life.

6 The History of the Catholic Church Chapter 2 Explaining the Faith Does the practice of infant Baptism date back to the early Church? From the time of the Apostles, young children were baptized. In fact, when Peter spoke from the window of the upper room on Pentecost he said, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Note that Peter said, “every one of you.” He also added, “For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call” (Acts2:39 ). The New Testament also cites other examples of entire households that were baptized. It is assumed that children were part of each household. These instances are worth noting because the Catholic practice of infant Baptism is often criticized by Christian fundamentalists who claim it has no scriptural basis. • Acts refers to a convert named Lydia: “After she and her household had been baptized, she offered us an invitation” (Acts 16:15). • Acts also mentions a Philippian jailer whom Paul and converted: “He took them in at that hour of the night and bathed their wounds; then he and all his family were baptized at once” (Acts 16:33). • In his greeting to the Corinthians, Paul writes, “I baptized the household of Stephanas also” (1 Cor 1:16a).

Adult Baptisms were more prevalent in the Church’s first three centuries, but infant Baptisms always took place. With the legalization of Christianity and a greater emphasis in the fifth century on Original Sin and how the graces of Baptism cleanse people of all sins—both personal sins and Original Sin—infant Baptisms increased. Further Research Read paragraphs 1250–1252 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Name three reasons for the practice of infant Baptism.

Chapter 2 The History of the Catholic Church 7 Chapter 2 Teacher Resources Faithful Disciple: St. Agnes of Rome Reading Comprehension 1. Why was Agnes not interested in the advances of the men who were trying to court her? Her only inter- est was in devoting her life to the Lord as a virgin. 2. What did the Roman governor try to convince Agnes to do? He tried to convince her to accept his son as her husband. 3. What are two reasons Agnes is widely celebrated today? She is celebrated for her virtuous life and cou- rageous martyrdom, but also for her youth, as she is one of the Church’s youngest saints. Writing Task Research an image of St. Agnes. Describe the image and what it represents about her life. Images of St. Agnes often include a lamb (a symbol of her innocence and purity) and a palm branch (a symbol of martyrdom). Some- times they also show her with very long, thick hair, as one story holds that she was condemned to be dragged through the streets of Rome naked, and that her hair miraculously grew to cover her. Additional Background Information Here are more traditional anecdotes connected with the martyrdom of St. Agnes: Her words as she awaited the sword are said to be “I would offend my Spouse if I were to try to please you. He chose me first and he shall have me!” Other accounts say that the Sempronius condemned Agnes to be dragged through the streets naked, and that her hair miraculously grew to cover her body and preserve her from shame. Some say that the first attempt to kill Agnes was by fire, but either the wood would not burn or the flames stayed away from her body. Because of this, the officer beheaded her with his sword, and her blood poured out onto the stadium floor, where it was soaked up with cloths by other Christians. The skull of St. Agnes is preserved in a church named for her in Rome’s .

Explaining the Faith Does the practice of infant Baptism date back to the early Church? Further Research Read paragraphs 1250–1252 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Name three reasons for the practice of infant Baptism. (1) All humans are born with a fallen human nature, tainted by Original Sin. (2) Infant Baptism bears witness to the gratuitousness of the grace of salvation. (3) The practice of infant Baptism is in accord with the responsibility of Christian parents to nurture their child’s life, entrusted to them by God.

8 The History of the Catholic Church Chapter 2 Additional Background and Resources Other Christian ecclesial communities that practice infant Baptism include the Eastern and Oriental Ortho- dox, Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians and other Reformed denominations, Methodists, some Nazarenes, and the Moravian Church. Infant Baptism is also known as “pedobaptism,” as contrasted with “credobaptism,” or Baptism of believers. Many arguments against infant Baptism are based on the fact that infants cannot profess belief or repent sins. There is also conflict between ecclesial communities about the relationship between Baptism (a sign of the New Covenant) and circumcision (a sign of the Old Covenant, in which infants were circumcised).

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