A SPIRITUAL TALK ON THE MEMORIAL OF ST. AGNES
1. PRESENTATION
When you do something good, it shows. Goodness advertises itself and excellence stands out. The arrival of Jesus in a region was like a magnet. Yet, he never saw in it as a profitable trade for the self but an opportunity to serve God and minister to man. Thus, the authentic servant of God is one who comes solely to do the will of God.
2. ABOUT TODAY
Today is the feast day of St. Agnes. The name “Agnes”, “means ‘lamb’ in Latin, and in Greek it means ‘the pure one'”.
In the words of St. Ambrose about St. Agnes; Today 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 twelve. 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.
3. THE FEAST OF ST. AGNES (ROME)
This is a special day in Rome, for every year at this feast, the Holy Father receives and blesses several young white lambs. The wool from these lambs is then used to weave the fabric of the Pallia that are placed over the shoulders of each archbishop in the world. Agnes is one of seven women, in addition to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who are mentioned in the Roman Canon of the Mass (Eucharistic Prayer I). Saints Felicity, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Cecilia, and Anastasia are the other six. Agnes is a patron saint of chastity, gardeners, girls, Girl Scouts, engaged couples and victims of rape.
4. AGNES: A YOUNG VIRGIN AND MARTYR
As a friend rightly asks, why emphasis on the virginity of a child of twelve years of age, to whom it would have been abnormal for her not to be a virgin? Sincerely, this makes sense. Yet, virginity as natural as it is, becomes a point of emphasis even in the life of a child when for the sake of its sacred preservation life is lost and that is the case of St. Agnes. Agnes became martyred because of her defence of her virginity. Thus, both crowns must be given to her, virgin and martyr.
5. VIRGINITY: A GIFT FROM GOD TO THE WORLD
Some are virgins because of lack of opportunity, such attracts no praise, some are virgins, because of fear of parents, such is morbid, for in absence of parents, it could be laid down, some are virgins due to fear of diseases and pregnancy, such is thanatoic, its like been a good person for the sake of avoiding punishment. No, its simply good to be good. Others are virgins to prove a point and when such point looses weight, virginity becomes valueless. But the young Agnes, virgin in mind and body, was a virgin for the glory of God. So, she is rewarded by God. For a child to hold on to the ideal in a world where even adults are grossly immoral and see nothing bad about it, is praiseworthy. Thus, as we honour St. Agnes today, Holy mother Church sets her as an example before all to follow, to stand for God even in the face of threat and call on parents to always teach their children aright even from infancy.
