Saint Agnes of Rome

Saint Agnes, also known as Agnes, is the patron saint of virgins. Its name comes from Greek and means “pure and chaste”. She belonged to a Roman family and, according to the customs of her time, was looked after by a maid until she got married.

The choice of Saint Agnes

When she was around 12 years old, Saint Agnes was approached by a suitor who was the son of the mayor of Rome. He was enchanted by her physical beauty, but what attracted most attention was her inner beauty, that is, her communion with God.

Agnes had made a vocational discovery: she was called to be one of the virgins consecrated to the Lord, and that’s why she made a commitment to Him. The young man didn’t know this, and she always said “no” to his proposals. When he denounced Saint Agnes to the authorities, she did not renounce Jesus Christ, her Divine Spouse, and faced all the risks to her life that this implied.

The strength of this woman

She is a great example of purity and devotion. She was able to resist all threats and torture with courage and determination. This is how she gained the admiration of holy fathers and all those who know her.

Her iconography is represented with a lamb at her side, as she was a lamb sacrificed by the Lord. Every year, on January 21st, Saint Agnes’s birthday is celebrated. On that date, two lambs are blessed and, with their wool, the Sisters of the Holy Family make the sacred Palliums, which the Holy Father sends to the new metropolitan Archbishops.

The miracle of Saint Agnes

Constância, daughter of Constantine, suffered from leprosy when she went to the tomb of Saint Agnes to ask for her intercession. After praying and falling asleep, Saint Agnes appeared to her and said: “Act with constancy. As soon as you believe in Christ, you will be healed.” When Constância woke up, she was cured.

As a thank you, Constância ordered a Basilica to be built over the tomb of Saint Agnes, where her remains were placed in a silver urn.

Saint Agnes is an example of unshakable faith, which shows how much God’s love is stronger than any difficulty. May we always keep the story of Saint Agnes in mind and strive to be faithful to the Lord, like her.