Today is the Feast of Virgin and Martyr, Saint Agnes.
Saint Agnes is the patron saint of girls, chastity, rape victims, virgins, and gardeners.
Because she was a follower of Christ, Agnes was dragged naked through the streets of Rome to a brothel. Those who tried to rape her were struck blind, one died instantly. Agnes prayed for her attackers and the one who died was revived. She was then tied to a stake to be burned, but the wood would not catch fire. Finally she was beheaded.
She was only 12 years old.
Her remains are venerated in the church of Sant’Agnese Outside the Walls and her skull at Sant’Agnese in Agony located on Piazza Navona.
Each year on her Feast Day, lambs are brought to the church of Saint Cecilia, where they are blessed and shorn. The wool is used to make the Pallium for future Archbishops.
Saint Agnes Outside the Walls
The tomb of Saint Agnes
Sant’Agnese in Piazza Navona
Skull of Saint Agnes