Biography Saint Agnes was a member of the Roman nobility born on January 28 c. 292 and raised in a Christian family. Agnes of Rome (c. 292 – c. 304) is a virgin–martyr. A Christian martyr is a person who is killed for following Christianity, through stoning, crucifixion, burning at the stake or other forms of torture and punishment. She was a beautiful young girl born to a wealthy family. Her love for the Lord was very great and she hated sin even more than death!
She had many suitors of high rank which she refused saying "Jesus Christ is my only Spouse." Even though many men still wanted to marry her. Among those men that she refused was the son of the Prefect Sempronius. The Prefect wanted Agnes to marry his son and on her second refusal he reported her to the authorities for being a follower of Christianity and condemned her to death. Roman law did not allow execution of virgins so the Prefect condemned her to be dragged down the streets naked to a brothel. There are many different rumors about how she escaped the problem. It was said that all of the men who attempted to rape her were immediately struck blind. One man who tried to rape her was the son of the prefect who was struck dead, but revived after Agnes prayed for him, which then lead to her release. There the trial when Sempronius excuses himself, and another figure appeared sentencing her to death. She was tied to a stake, but the bundle of wood would not burn, or the flames parted away from her. Then angry that she wouldn’t die the officer in charge beheaded her or stabbed her in the throat on January 21, 304. It is also said that the blood of Agnes was poured to the floor where other Christians soaked up the blood with cloths.
A few days after Agnes' death, her foster-sister, Saint Emerentiana, was found praying by her tomb claiming to be the daughter of Agnes. She was then stoned to death after refusing to leave the tomb. Emerentiana was also later canonized. The daughter of Constantine I, Saint Constance, was also said to have been cured of leprosy after praying at Agnes' tomb. Agnes was buried beside the Via Nomentana located in Rome. The bones of Agnes are said to be under the high alter of the church, Saint Agnes Outside the Wall that was built over her grave site in 7th Century. She is one of seven women, who along with the Blessed Virgin, are commemorated by name in the Canon of the Mass. She is the patron saint of chastity, gardeners, girls, engaged couples, rape victims, and virgins. Her Memorial/Feast day is January 21st. Agnes' symbol is a lamb, because her name means "pure" in Greek and is similar to the Latin word Agnus, which means lamb. The is also a church, St. Agnes’ Church, that was established in 1873 located on 143 East 43rd street in Manhattan, New York City. The church burned in 1992 but was rebuild. Connection There is many reasons why I feel connected to St. Agnes. She was a very strong, brave, young girl that died to show her devotion to Jesus. She taught the adults the meaning of valor while she was still a child.