Saint Agnes, Virgin & Martyr
Sanctæ Agnetis Virginis et Martyris
A Roman girl of about twelve who gave her life rather than surrender her consecrated virginity or deny Christ — one of the most beloved martyrs of the early Church.
Saint Agnes is among the most venerated of the early Roman martyrs. She suffered around the year 304, during the persecution under Diocletian, while still only a child of about twelve or thirteen. Though young, she had already consecrated her virginity to Christ; and when she refused both to marry and to offer sacrifice to the idols, she was put to death. Her courage so impressed the Christians of Rome that her memory has never faded — her name is spoken in the Roman Canon of the Mass itself.
Her Witness
The early Fathers loved to praise her. St. Ambrose, writing only decades after her death, marvelled that a child too young for the world’s punishments was yet ready for the crown of martyrdom — “old enough to triumph, too young to fear.” In her the Church sees the strength that God gives to the weak: as the Collect of her feast prays, God “chooseth the weak things of the world to confound the strong.”
Lamb of God
Her name recalls the Latin agnus, a lamb — an image of innocence that has clung to her ever since. To this day, on her feast in Rome, two lambs are solemnly blessed, and from their wool are woven the pallia worn by archbishops, a sign of their share in the Good Shepherd’s care for the flock. Saint Agnes is honoured as a patroness of young girls, of purity, and of those promised in marriage.
The Collect
Almighty everlasting God, who choosest the weak things of the world to confound the strong: mercifully grant; that we who keep the feast of blessed Agnes, Thy Virgin and Martyr, may feel the help of her intercession with Thee. Through our Lord Jesus Christ…
Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, qui infírma mundi éligis, ut fórtia quæque confúndas: concéde propítius; ut, qui beátæ Agnétis Vírginis et Mártyris tuæ solémnia cólimus, eius apud te patrocínia sentiámus.
Patronage
Young girls, chastity and purity, betrothed couples, and (from the blessing of the lambs) those who work with wool.
Common Questions
When is the feast of St. Agnes?
The feast of St. Agnes is kept on 21 January. In the traditional Roman calendar it is a feast of the Second Class, in red vestments as befits a martyr.
Why is St. Agnes associated with a lamb?
Her name resembles the Latin word agnus, “lamb,” a fitting emblem of her innocence. Each year on her feast two lambs are blessed in Rome, and their wool is used to weave the pallia given to archbishops.
Of what is St. Agnes the patron saint?
She is invoked as a patroness of young girls, of purity and chastity, and of engaged couples.
See where this feast falls in the Church’s year on the liturgical calendar, or find a Traditional Latin Mass near you.