Feast of St. Agnes: January 21
St. Agnes of Rome was martyred in AD 303. The story of her martyrdom is shrouded in legends that have been handed down by historians of the fifth and sixth century, but all stories agree that St. Agnes was a virgin and a martyr. Having chosen Christ as her only love, she was led like a lamb to the slaughter, willing to die rather than to lose her virginity or deny her faith.
More than 17 centuries later, Sisters of St. Agnes strive to live as our patron saint did—focused on Christ and fearless in going wherever his love may take us. Since our beginnings in 1858 on the Wisconsin frontier, we have served in great cities like Chicago and New York and small communities like Bisbee, Arizona and Amory, Mississippi.
It’s whom we love—Christ alive in our neighbors in need—and how we hope to show it.
“To Christ alone I am associated in heaven,
whom on earth I have loved
with all devotedness.”
Words attributed to St. Agnes, taken from accounts of early Christian writers—Saints Ambrose, Damasus, Jerome and others
Why Our Patroness
During a visit to Rome in the 1850s, Father Caspar Rehrl stopped at the Tomb of St. Agnes and prayed, “Show me the way.” He was granted a vision of a new society, founded in America, with St. Agnes as the patroness. His was approved by Pope Pius IX, and, on his return to America, he bought land at Barton, Wisconsin. By December 1857, a church was built there. About one year later, on the Feast of St. Clare 1858, the Congregation of St. Agnes was born in Barton.
Prayer to Saint Agnes
Behold,
What I long coveted,
I already see;
What I hoped for
I now hold safe.
To God alone I am
associated in heaven,
Whom on Earth I loved
with all devotedness.
Pray for us,
Saint Agnes,
that we may be made
worthy of the
promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
Almighty and eternal God,
Who choose the weak
of the world to
confound the strong,
mercifully grant that we,
who are placed under the
patronage of your
virgin and martyr Agnes,
may feel the benefit of
her intercession with you.
Through Christ our Lord,
Amen.
Contemporary Litany of St. Agnes
Blessed spouse of Christ,
Protect victims of domestic violence.
Victim of Divine love,
Bring an end to hatred in all its forms.
Glorious martyr of Jesus Christ,
Strengthen those who face martyrdom.
Wonderful example of fortitude,
Stand with those tempted to return to their addictions.
Despiser of torment and death,
Give the grace of a happy death to the terminally ill.
Conqueror of the whole world,
Bring peace to the war-torn parts of the world.
Flower of innocence,
Protect children from sexual abuse.
Model of humility,
Gift the rich with generosity of heart.
Example of religious virtue,
Give us insight into our prejudices.
Protectress of the weak,
Help the voiceless claim their voice.
Advocate of the tempted,
Soften the hearts of those tempted toward violence.
Special patroness of youth,
help our children resist the lure of drugs.
Great favorite of heaven,
Answer the prayers we offer with all devotedness.
By Sister Patricia Hayes, CSA