St. Agnes Biography

St. Agnes was born in Rome in 291 of a noble family and she was raised as a Christian. Several legends surround her life and her martyrdom. She was raised as a Christian. Several legends surround her life and her martyrdom. She was decapitated at the age of 12 or 13 for refusing to marry any of the young bachelor of the city. According to several versions of the legend she was divinely assisted in her predicament by her hair growing to cover her nakedness when she was stripped of her clothes. Another says there the men who attempted to touch her were struck blind or dead. She was condemned to the stake but the wood would not burn so an officer drew his sword and beheaded her. St. Agnes is the patron saint of young girls of the age of marriage, of chastity, gardeners, engaged couples, rape victims and virgins. She is honored by the tradition of the pallium, which the pope give to a newly-consecrated metropolitan archbishop as a sign of his jurisdiction and his union with the pope.

  Prayer to St. Agnes

Almighty and everlasting God, you choose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. Grant that as we celebrate on this feast the virginity and martyrdom of blessed Agnes, we may enjoy the help of her intercession.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

URL: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=106