On January 21, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Agnes, often known as St. Agnes of Rome. She is the patroness of those seeking chastity and purity, engaged couples, rape victims, gardeners, young girls, and Girl Scouts. Symbols and representations of Saint Agnes include a woman with a dove, a woman with a crown of thorns, a woman with a palm branch, a woman with a sword at her throat, and a woman with a lamb. The imagery of lamb is significant because the name “Agnes” is similar to the Latin word “agnus,” which means “lamb”. For this reason depictions of Saint Agnes often include a lamb. The name actually comes from a Greek word, which means “chaste, pure, sacred”.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
DAILY NOVENA PRAYER:
O kind and protective Saint Agnes! Glorious Virgin and Martyr of Jesus Christ! In this solemn novena, dedicated to your glorious triumph, we humbly prostrate ourselves before you, certain that you will not deny us the graces we now ask of you.
Animated by your luminous examples and awakened by divine inspirations, we decide to dedicate ourselves sincerely to the service of God and to belong entirely to Him; we, therefore, wish to consecrate our hearts to Him. But, knowing our unworthiness, we dare not make such a miserable offer; therefore, we beseech and implore you to receive these hearts, thirsting for the purity of your merits, so that they may become worthy of being accepted by God.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHY – PART 5
Next, he sent her to a place of sin, but an Angel protected her. The prefect, having failed to convert Agnes back to paganism, or to defile her body, then condemned her to death. Even the pagans cried to see such a young and beautiful girl going to death. Yet, Agnes was as happy as a bride on her wedding day. She did not pay attention to those who begged her to save herself. “I would offend my Spouse,” she said, “if I were to try to please you. He chose me first and He shall have me!” First, it is said he condemned the young girl to be dragged through the streets naked. Some versions of the legend state that Agnes’ hair grew instantly to cover her entire body and all the men who attempted to rape the beautiful virgin were immediately struck blind.
The stories go on to explain that another man presided over Agnes’ trial after Prefect Sempronius excused himself. The new man sentenced Agnes to death by fire. So, Agnes was tied to a stake, but either the wood would not burn or the flames parted away from her. This prompted an officer to draw his sword and behead the girl. Agnes willingly offered her neck to the executioner, who trembled with fear as he approached, while she was as joyful as a bride waiting to meet her Bridegroom. It is believed that her blood, which poured out to the stadium, was soaked up with clothes by Christians. She died a virgin-martyr at the age of 12 or 13 on 21 January 304… (To be continued)
- (Biography Culled from Catholic.org)
—SILENT REFLECTION—
DAY 5 PRAYER
O blessed Saint Agnes, our special protector, protect and assist us in all our needs, infuse us with part of that strength and courage with which you knew how to despise the seductions and persecutions of the wicked. Make sure that, keeping faithful to the Lord here on earth, we can one day reach the reward of the works we do. Amen
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be… St. Agnes, pray for us!
Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison.
Christe eleison, Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God, the Son, the Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, consecrated to God in your youth, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, lily of virginal innocence, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, rose among the thorns of paganism, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, inflamed with the love of God, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, defender of the faith, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, adornment of the Christian nation, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, loathing the lure of the world and all its vanity, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, by the particular grace of God protected by the angel from the stain of sin, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, singular model of virginal purity, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, mirror of piety, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, example of obedience and mores, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, invaluable treasure of the Church of Christ, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, victorious over all temptations, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, adornment of the female gender, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, consolation of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, guardian of all virgins, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, virgin in soul and body, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, bride of the Savior of the world, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, betrothed to God with the ring of His Faith, Hope and Love, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, despising the earthly bridegroom for the love of God, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, reviving the dead young man through your prayers, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, not afraid of terrible torments, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, wishing with joy for death by martyrdom, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, condemned by the enemy to be burned, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, perishing from a murderous hand armed with steel, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, unparalleled in martyr’s patience, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, rare example of bravery and consistency, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, adorned with the palm of victory, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, rewarded with the crown of martyrdom, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, included in the fellowship of the martyrs of Christ, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, placed in the tabernacle of eternal glory, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, experienced Patroness in various adventures, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, consolation of God the Eternal Father, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, dwelling of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, our Patroness, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Almighty eternal God, who in the midst of pagan darkness, having in particular care your faithful servant Saint Agnes, preserved her in innocence and gave her the crown of martyrdom in Your glory, we ask You humbly to deliver us through her intercession from the darkness of sin, and bring us through the road of virtue to the glory that she shares forever with You, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Through the intercession of Saint Agnes of Rome, Virgin & Martyr, may Almighty God bless you + the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Shalom!
Compiled by Fr. Chinaka Justin Mbaeri, OSJ
Paroquia Nossa Senhora de Loreto, São Paulo, Brazil
nozickcjoe@gmail.com / fadacjay@gmail.com
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PS: Have you prayed your Rosary today?
St Agnes give us grace to avoid sin and evil, so that we can be close to Jesus Christ and our petitions be answer. St Agnes pray for us. Fr Chanaka thanks For this novena and the background history. It is great and worthy of emulation. God bless you.
Amen
St. Agnes pray for us
Amen.
Yes ooh, thanks to Fr. Chanaka.
St. Agnes intercede for us to overcome sin. Amen.
Amen
Saint Agnes victorious over all temptations, pray for us,
St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr continue to intercede for me, my children, mother, sister, siblings and their children to hold firm the faith we profess despite all idolatry and paganism going all around us, amen!
Amen
Amen
St. Agnes virgin and martyr, intercede for us and grant our heart desires. Amen
St Agnes Pray for Us
Amen
What a wicked world we live in. Thank you st Agnes for remaining resolute. Please pray for us to be strong too in the face of persecution. Amen
St. Agnes pray for us, Amen
St. Agnès…
Pray for us
St Agnes our patroness, pray for us
St Agnes patroness of chaste, engaged couples and rape victims intercede for us
Amen
Saint Agnes, bride of the Savior of the world, pray for us. Amen.
St. Agnes, obtain for me the grace to stand firm in my resolve not to offend God. Amen?
Through the intercession of st Agnes, may God grant us the grace of final perseverance. Amen
St Agnes! What a brave little girl at your age , so tender ,but steadfast standing for Jesus fearlessly! Pray for us to be as brave as you were in the face of persecution Virgin and Martyr. I love you.
Amen
St Agnes, pray for us as journey through life to be faithful till the end to the precepts of Our Heavenly Father who is forever faithful to us, Amen
Amen
St. Agnes please pray for our Country Nigeria that our people and leaders will seek the face of God this critical election year.
Oh kind and protective st Agnes, virgin and martyr, pray for us
May the youths of our world, especially the girls see St Agnes as their role model and become the standard light bearers for all generations to come I pray oh Lord…..
Amen
Amen
St Agnes pray for us
St. Agnes of Rome, Virgin and Martyr.
Pray for us……..Amen
St Agnes pray for us. Amen
St. Agnes pray for us that we may persevere in the struggle of heaven,Amen.
Thank you St. Agnes.
St Agnes, pray for us and for all who invoke your help. Amen.
Amen
Eternal Father through the intercession of St Agnes of Rome, grant our petitions in Jesus Precious name amen
Saint Agnes, despising the earthly bridegroom for the love of God, pray for us.
St Agnes pray for me!
Saint Agnes of Rome Pray for me
Amen
St Agnes of Rome, pray for us
Amen
Amen
Amen
Praying for the intercession of St Agnes as we continue with the Novena.
Help me to know what i want Lord and always stand by it just like your servant St.Agnes. Amen
Increase in us the spirit of discernment
St. Agnes pray for us
St Agnes Virgin and Martyr
Pray For Us
Thank you Jesus for all your blessings.
Saint Agnes, Pray for us