From: rich <richarra@gmail.com>

January 21st - Saint Agnes of Rome, Virgin and Martyr

Saint Agnes maintained her faith, despite her young age (she was only
around 12 years old!), consecrating herself to the Lord, defying the
emperor, and earning the crown of Martyrdom!

Saint Ambrose of Milan wrote of Saint Agnes: =E2=80=9CToday is the birthday=
of
a virgin; let us imitate her purity. It is the birthday of a martyr;
let us offer ourselves in sacrifice. It is the birthday of Saint
Agnes, who is said to have suffered martyrdom at the age of 12. There
was little or no room in that small body for a wound. Yet she shows no
fear of the blood-stained hands of her executioners. She offers her
whole body to be put to the sword by fierce soldiers. She is too young
to know of death, yet is ready to face it. Dragged against her will to
the altars, she stretches out her hands to the Lord in the midst of
the flames, making the triumphant sign of Christ the victor on the
altars of sacrilege. She puts her neck and hands in iron chains, but
no chain can hold fast her tiny limbs. In the midst of tears, she
sheds no tears herself. She stood still, she prayed, she offered her
neck. You could see fear in the eyes of the executioner, as if he were
the one condemned. His right hand trembled, his face grew pale as he
saw the girl's peril, while she had no fear for herself. One victim=
,
but a twin martyrdom, to modesty and religion; Agnes preserved her
virginity and gained a martyr's crown.=E2=80=9D

The life and faith of Saint Agnes has inspired many traditions. She
is, along with Saint Sebastian (who we celebrated yesterday), one of
the most frequently depicted saints in Catholic art. Saint Agnes is
generally depicted with a lamb, due to the creature's association w=
ith
gentleness, purity, and submission, and her relationship to Jesus as
the Good Shepherd. The name Agnes (Agnus), as well, is translated as =E2=80=9Clamb=E2=80=9D in Latin. From this association, the practice of she= aring two
lambs in Rome each year developed. These special lambs, raised by the Trappists, are brought to pope, blessed, and their wool is woven into
the papal pallium. As Agnes is also the patron saint of young girls
and virgins, many celebrate her feast with rituals and Mass.

Saint Agnes' relics are conserved in the church of Sant'Agnese fuori
le mura (Saint Agnes Outside the Walls) in Rome, which was constructed
atop the catacomb that housed Agnes' tomb. Her skull is preserved in a
side chapel in the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone in Rome's Piazza
Navona.

Almighty and everlasting God, who choose those whom the world deems
powerless to put the powerful to shame: Grant us so to cherish the
memory of your youthful martyr Agnes, that we may share her pure and
steadfast faith in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.


Saint Quote:
=E2=80=9CChrist made my soul beautiful with the jewels of grace and virtue.=
I
belong to Him whom the angels serve.=E2=80=9D
--Saint Agnes of Rome

Bible Quote:
You cannot have forgotten that all of us, when we were baptized into
Christ Jesus, were baptized into his death. So by our baptism into his
death we were buried with him, so that as Christ was raised from the
dead by the Father's glorious power, we too should begin living a new
life. [Romans 6:3-4 ]


<><><><>
"THANK YOU GOD!"


Dear Loving and Compassionate God,
Giver of all gifts,
we pray especially today for the mercy and love You give us.
Open our hearts and minds to You.
Give us the grace to accept your mercy.
As we live each day,
we pray for those less fortunate,
especially those who are hurting,
and whose wounds need to be healed.
Help us become involved in ways that show them how deeply we care.
Give us the personal courage to listen to their concerns
and help them find the solutions to which they are entitled.
as Your children and our brothers and sisters.

Amen.
--- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
* Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)