TODAY is the Feast of St. Agnes, Virgin, Martyr (January 21)

[DemBones DemBones]

"As with so many of the early Roman martyrs, very little is now known about Agnes’ life. Partly this is because the details have been obscured by the light that shines from her martyrdom and the cult that it inspired, and partly because if you are martyred at the age of 12, your life has not really acquired that many details in any case. Agnes was filled with the love of God from an early age, vowed herself to celibacy, and when the opportunity of martyrdom arose, she did not hide away but stepped forward and took it."

"That is really all that is known: but it is enough. We who are used to compromising with the world at every turn, and would find excuses to avoid any inconveniences that our faith might cause us, let alone martyrdom (“yes, of course I would die for my faith in principle, but wouldn’t I be able do more good in the long run if I stayed alive just now?”), should admire the simple wisdom of Agnes, realise that there are moments where compromise and moral ambiguity just will not do, and pray for the strength to live up to such moments when they happen."


The above is from Universalis.com. The Catholic Encyclopedia at New Advent.org lists some of the old stories about St. Agnes is you're interested but this is the most interesting thing I learned there:


"Since the Middle Ages St. Agnes has been represented with a lamb, the symbol of her virginal innocence. On her feast two lambs are solemnly blessed, and from their wool are made the palliums sent by the Pope to archbishops. "

Nice to know this ancient tradition lives on, even if we know little about the actual girl who was martyred and became St. Agnes. It ties us to those early Catholic Christians.

[CBHagman]

1. My great-grandmother was named for her.

My great-grandmother was baptized Bridget Agnes and known as Agnes. I understand that Agnes was a very popular saint among Irish immigrants in this country.

When I went to Great-Grandma's old parish last fall, I looked up at the paintings depicting saints, and there were Bridget and Agnes, side by side, in paintings done years after she was born.

If I recall correctly, Agnes has traditionally been the patron saint of young girls and of Girl Scouts.

[DemBones DemBones]

2. I taught a child named Agnes years ago -- she's in her

thrities now -- and came to be very fond of the name, old-fashioned as it is. One of my grandmothers was named Maud, another old-fashioned name. Since it goes back to at least the Empress Maude, I wonder if there is a saint named Maud(e)?

Oops, I see this was your Irish great-grandmother, not grandmother. I had two Irish great-grandmothers myself, but they were named Mary and Annie, nothing as Irish as Bridget.