“Strike without fear,” she encouraged urgent pleas of the Church in America We might ask: “How is St. Agnes, who lived Advocate of the tempted, the trembling executioner as he for priests to serve the immigrants in in the 4th century, relevant to us who live in soften the hearts of those tempted toward raised the severing axe over her head the newly-opened lands, he felt God was the 21st century?” Maybe the answer can be violence. and let it fall, making young Agnes calling him. He must go to America! found in the following prayer, naming one of the most revered virgin “titles” by which she has been venerated Special patroness of youth, martyrs in the history of the early From the beginning of his missionary throughout history. help our children resist the lure of drugs. church. work, he was aware of how important it was to find others who would help with A PRAYER TO SAINT AGNES FOR TODAY Great favorite of heaven, Her name was her life: chaste and faith instructions, especially for the answer the prayers we offer with all pure, she was led, like a lamb, to the children. His initial efforts to find a Blessed spouse of Christ, devotedness. Amen. slaughter. Sisterhood failed, but he did not give up. protect victims of domestic violence. In 1852, he set out for Europe hoping to The Church calendar marks January find a religious order interested in Victim of divine love, 21 as her feast day. On that day, two sending Sisters to America, but found bring an end to hatred in all its forms. lambs are taken to the church of St. none. Deciding to return to America, he ACKNOWLEDGMENTS first stopped to pray at the tomb of St. Glorious martyr of Jesus Christ, Agnes in Rome. They are blessed and  Prayer to St. Agnes for Today, Sisters Agnes. “Show me the way,” he pleaded. strengthen those who face martyrdom. then taken to a convent for care until of St. Agnes, January 2001 Wednesday of Holy Week. On that And she did! In a vision, he saw the day, the lambs are shorn. The wool is saint leading a long procession of Wonderful example of fortitude,  Statue of St. Agnes, wood carving, then woven into strips to make a maidens clothed in a black-and-white stand with those tempted to return to their St. Agnes Convent since 1975 liturgical vestment called a pallium religious garb. Was this the answer – for addictions.  Text of brochure, prepared by Sister which is worn by an archbishop over him to found a society of his own, with Rachel Doerfler, CSA his neck and shoulders. Once the St. Agnes as the patroness of the Despiser of torments and death, pallia are woven they are taken to the members? give the grace of a happy death  Words attributed to St. Agnes, taken tomb of St. Peter and kept there until to the terminally ill. from accounts of early Christian they are presented to newly- He outlined his plan to Pope Pius IX, also writers—Saints Ambrose, Damasus, consecrated archbishops as a sign of a devotee of St. Agnes, and was given Conqueror of the whole world, Jerome and others—as quoted their role as followers of Christ, the approval to start this new undertaking. bring peace to the war-torn parts of the throughout Saint Agnes of Rome ~ Good Shepherd. On his return to America he bought land world. Mary’s Waiting-Maid by Sister Muriel at Barton, Wisconsin, and by December Tarr, CSA, 1971 SAINT AGNES, PATRONESS OF CSA 1857 a church was built there. About Flower of innocence, one year later on the feast of St. Clare protect children from sexual abuse. Two churches in Rome are dedicated 1858, the Congregation of St. Agnes was to this saint: St. Agnes on the Piazza born in Barton. Model of humility, Navona and the Basilica of St. Agnes gift the rich with generosity of heart. on the Via Nomentana. Both churches The rest is history and can be read in have attracted many visitors. Among Ordinary Sisters written by Sister Example of religious virtue, those who found their way to the Margaret Lorimer, C.S.A., 2007 give us insight into our prejudices. Basilica of St. Agnes was a zealous Austrian missionary priest, Father Protectress of the weak, Caspar Rehrl. Having read of the help the voiceless claim their voice. SAINT AGNES OF ROME When Agnes rejected him and his Having failed again, the Prefect What’s in a name? For some, maybe a riches, he and his family made ordered her to serve the gods in lifetime! Agnes, whose name means greater promises of riches, a palace, the temple of Vesta. When she “chaste or pure” in Greek and “lamb” in estates, numerous slaves and all the refused, the Prefect, in a final Latin, bears this out. So much of what delights of life if she would say “Yes” attempt to insult her steadfast we know about her is shrouded in to the proposal. Nothing could deter adherence to her virginity, legends that have been handed down Agnes from her resolve to be the condemned her to be dragged by historians of the fifth and sixth spouse of Christ . Finally, she was naked through the streets to a century, historians who generally agree arrested for the crime of following brothel. In one legend, we are told that the only thing we can know with the teachings of Jesus Christ. that, as Agnes prayed, her hair certainty is that St. Agnes was a virgin grew instantly long and covered and a martyr. Having chosen Christ as This was around the year 304 A.D. her nakedness. In another legend, her only Love, she, chaste and pure, and Diocletian was then nearing the we are told that the son of the was led like a lamb to the slaughter, end of his reign as Emperor. Prefect, who was determined to willing to die rather than to lose her Persecution of the Christians was have her, was struck dead but was virginity or deny her faith. then at its height. Tortures by fire restored to life as Agnes prayed and horrors of personal abasement over him. Whether or not we give STORIES OF SAINT AGNES’ were used to weaken the followers any credence to these legends, MARTYRDOM of Jesus Christ. When all these they clearly reveal God’s efforts failed, all Christians who providential care and protection of We are told that Agnes came from a refused to renounce Christ and to Agnes’ virginal love and steadfast wealthy and powerful Roman family. bow to the Roman gods were put to love for Jesus. Because of this and because she death by the sword. radiated a beauty that came from deep Finally, the order was given to put within, she attracted many who sought Because of the importance of her her to death by fire. Tied to a her hand in marriage at the early age of family and also because of her youth stake and standing in the midst of thirteen. Early weddings were the and her beauty, Agnes was treated, flames, Agnes praised and blessed custom and Agnes was often asked to at first, with mild consideration. To God who had preserved her from give an explanation for rejecting the this, Agnes responded: “Put aside defilement. As the flames parted offers of the rich young men attracted this pity for my youth and do not away from her, leaving her to her. Her response was always the think that I wish to use such a plea unharmed, she is said to have same: “Jesus is my love. I am already in order to gain your indulgence. prayed: “Behold, what I believed, I espoused to Him.” Their threats to Faith resides not in the years of time now see! What I hoped for, I report her as a Christian had no power but in the sentiments of the heart. possess! What I have desired, I over her. As to your gods, whose anger you now embrace!” By the end of her fear on my account, leave them to prayer, the fire was completely Saint Agnes of Rome Finally, the son of the Roman Prefect, their rage.” extinguished; not even any heat bringing many gifts and promises of remained. At that point, she was Patroness of ordered to be beheaded. The Congregation of Sisters of Saint Agnes even greater ones, went to her parents to ask her hand in marriage.