Saints from A to Z: Letter A

My dear little blog has been neglected for the millionth time. I have plenty of books to share but today we're moving on to the second biography in the "Saints from A to Z" series. Maybe one of these days I'll catch up to Esteban's drawings! 

Today, we're going back to beginning with letter A. 

Clues:

Similar to the last biography, I'll give you some clues before the biography. :)

CLUE 1: I died as a virgin-martyr in the year 304. 

CLUE 2: Little is known about me, but most sources agree that I was martyred at age 12 or 13. 

CLUE 3: I am often shown with a lamb to represent my innocence. 

That third clue might have easily given it away... 

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(scroll no more) 

It is Saint Agnes of Rome!

(credit)

Similar to the lives of saints who lived long ago, much of St. Agnes' life is legend with very few facts. She was born in 291 AD to a Christian family and though her life was short, she lived it well and holy. Because her family was wealthy and she was beautiful, men often wanted her for marriage. Agnes had a wish, however. She wanted to live a pure life and often declared: "Jesus Christ is my only Spouse". 

One case involved the governor's son, Procop. He tried many times to win Agnes as his wife with rich gifts and promises, but Agnes kept her promise to the Lord: "I am already promised to the Lord of the Universe. He is more splendid than the sun and the stars, and He has said He will never leave me!" 

Procop and his father did not approve of Christianity. They tried to change her ways by making her deny God, but she never accepted. Again, they put her in chains but she became more joyous through this suffering. A third time they sent her to a sinful place, but an Angel rescued her. With no other way to make her suffer, she was condemned to death in January 304 at the age of 12 or 13. The pagans were even sad to see her dying at a young age, but she was happy to go to her only Spouse. After her death, it is believed that Christians used cloths to soak up her blood. 

Patron of: young girls, engaged couples, and chastity

Feast: January 21

Source:

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

https://www.americaneedsfatima.org/articles/saint-agnes

Let us follow in St. Agnes footsteps of innocence and put our full trust in God! Be sure to check out Esteban's drawing of St. Agnes here. 

St. Agnes, pray for us! 

Who is your favorite martyr saint? 

-Miss K