January 21 - Saint Agnes of Rome breski1
Virgin and Martyr
(+ 304)
St. Agnes was twelve years old when she was led to the altar of Minerva at Rome, and commanded to offer incense by the laws of Diocletian. In the midst of the idolatrous rites, she raised her hands to Jesus Christ her Spouse, and made the sign of the Cross. She did not shrink after being bound hand and foot, though the gyves slipped from her young hands and the pagans standing around were moved to tears. The bonds were not needed as she walked courageously to the place of torture. "Perfect love casts out fear" (Jn 4:18).
When the judge saw that pain held no terrors for St. Agnes, he inflicted an insult: Her clothes were stripped off and she was placed in the street before a pagan crowd. Undaunted, she said, "Christ will guard His own." Then Christ showed, by a miracle, the value which He sets upon chastity and the custody of the eyes. The crowd turned away; and when a young man lustfully gazed at the innocent child, a flash of light struck him blind.
St. Agnes was afterward tempted with flattery and an exalted marriage. But she answered, "Christ is my Spouse: He chose me first, and His I will be." At length, the sentence of death was passed. For a moment, she stood erect in prayer; and then bowed her neck to the sword. In one stroke, her head was severed from her body; and the angels accompanied her pure soul to Paradise.