S. Agnes of Rome| Daily Meditation| Daily Quote by S. Padre Pio| Divine Mercy Reflection
St. Agnes
(d. 258?)
Both Calendars
Almost nothing is known of this saint except that she was very young—12 or 13—when she was martyred in the last half of the third century. Various modes of death have been suggested—beheading, burning, strangling.
Legend has it that Agnes was a beautiful girl whom many young men wanted to marry. Among those she refused, one reported her to the authorities for being a Christian. She was arrested and confined to a house of prostitution. The legend continues that a man who looked upon her lustfully lost his sight and had it restored by her prayer. Agnes was condemned, executed and buried near Rome in a catacomb that eventually was named after her. The daughter of Constantine built a basilica in her honor.
Comment:
Like that of modern Maria Goretti (July 6), the martyrdom of a virginal young girl made a deep impression on a society enslaved to a materialistic outlook. Like Agatha, who died in similar circumstances, Agnes is a symbol that holiness does not depend on length of years, experience or human effort. It is a gift God offers to all.
Quote:
"This is a virgin's birthday; let us follow the example of her chastity. It is a martyr's birthday; let us offer sacrifices; it is the birthday of holy Agnes: let men be filled with wonder, little ones with hope, married women with awe, and the unmarried with emulation. It seems to me that this child, holy beyond her years and courageous beyond human nature, receives thename of Agnes [Greek: pure] not as an earthly designation but as a revelation from God of what she was to be" (from Saint Ambrose's discourse on virginity).
Patron Saint of:
Girls
Daily Meditation
True to Ourselves:
Sometimes it takes heroic loyalty to remain true to our own values in the face of outside pressure from peer groups and society. Maybe we have honored past commitments, maybe we have not. None of us can undo the past. With God's help, all of us can make choices that are in our best interests and those of others as we go forward.
Quote by S. Padre Pio:
Remember the only way you can gain the health of your soul is through prayer; you cannot win the battle without prayer. So the choice is up to you.
Divine Mercy Reflection
Reflections on Notebook One: 11-111
The first notebook of Saint Faustina begins her private revelations given from the Heart of Jesus to her. She writes in a beautiful and simple way. Though, as mentioned in the introduction, her actual words are not quoted in these reflections that follow, the messages that she received and articulated are presented.
In truth, her messages are those contained in Sacred Scripture and in the Tradition of our Church. And if you were to read through the lives and teachings of the saints, you would find the same revelations. God has always spoken to us throughout the ages. He speaks the one Message of Truth, and He reveals that Message in love. The revelations to Saint Faustina are one new way that God continues to speak and reveal Himself to us, His sons and daughters.
The reflections based on her first notebook, are intentionally short and focused. They are a way for you, the reader, to slowly and carefully listen to the Heart of God spoken to this great saint. Read these reflections slowly and prayerfully. Ponder them throughout the day and allow the Lord to speak to You the message He wants to give.
Reflection 20: Give Your Life to Jesus Every Day
Once Jesus has accepted you and taken possession of your soul, do not worry about what is next. Do not expect life to change dramatically right away, but do not be surprised if it does. All that matters is that you daily renew the gift of yourself to His merciful Heart and that you allow Him to daily renew His acceptance of you in His Heart (See Diary #15).
Look, today, at how often you renew the total giving of yourself to Jesus. Do you do this daily? Have you done so today already? Make this a daily habit and let the Lord work miracles in your life.
Lord, I do renew my total self-giving to You this day and every day. May I turn to You always and abandon myself to You in every circumstance of life. Jesus, I trust in You.