St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr

The Feast of St. Agnes was celebrated this week by the Church. Two churches in Rome bear the name of this young saint who was a virgin and martyr (at the age of 13) during the persecutions of the Roman Emperor Diocletian (304 CE). Agnes made a choice at a very young age to give herself totally to Christ as his bride alone, and not to any man. Because she would not offer sacrifice to the Roman pagan gods, she was thrown into jail and forced into slavery as a prostitute. But it is said that no man touched her because they saw her great holiness. While she was being led to her execution, she expressed such joy as a young woman being led to her wedding. As such, she had a tremendous influence on centuries of Christian men and women who chose to follow her lead and live lives of chastity in response to the call of Jesus to “Follow me”. Agnes did not choose death. She chose to commit herself wholly to Christ regardless of the costs. All of us are called to do the same. - - - Fr. Jim