St. Agnes of Rome

Today we celebrate St. Agnes of Rome. She was born in 291 and died a martyr in 304, at the age of thirteen. She is the patron saint of chastity, gardeners, girls, engaged couples, rape victims, and virgins.

She had many suitors, but Agnes was devoted to purity. Her slighted suitors reported her to the authorities as being a Christian. The Roman Prefect, Sempronius, had her dragged through the streets naked to a brothel. One version of the story is that whoever tried to rape her was struck blind. A trial followed and she was condemned to die. She was tied to a stake to burn, but the wood would not burn, so an officer of the troops drew his sword and beheaded her – some versions say he stabbed her in the throat.

Agnes beatae virginis (att. St. Ambrose)

The blessed virgin Agnes flies
back to her home above the skies,
and she is born in heav'n above
because she gave her blood in love.

Mature enough to give her life,
though still too young to be a wife,
what joy she shows when death appears
that one would think: her bridegroom nears!

Her captors lead her to the fire
but she refuses their desire,
"For it is not such smold'ring brands
Christ's virgins take into their hands."

"This flaming fire of pagan rite
extinguishes all faith and light.
Then stab me here, so that the flood
may overcome this hearth in blood."

And she was stabbed, and she was brave,
and dying, further witness gave,
for as she fell on bended knee
she wrapped her robes in modesty.

O Virgin-born, all praises be 
to You throughout eternity.
and unto everlasting days
to Father and the Spirit, praise.

Translation c. 2010 Kathleen Pluth. Permission is given for parish use during January 2011. All other rights reserved.