JANUARY 21, 2024 – ST. AGNES, VIRGIN, MARTYR.

• St. Agnes (304). Martyr, Patron or Patroness, Virgin. Patroness of Children of Mary. (Current, Traditional)

ST. AGNES was but twelve years old when she was led to the altar of Minerva at Rome, and commanded to obey the persecuting laws of Diocletian, by offering incense. In the midst of the idolatrous rites she raised her hands to Christ, her Spouse, and made the sign of the life-giving Cross. She did not shrink when she was bound hand and foot, though the gyves slipped from her young hands, and the heathens who stood around were moved to tears. The bonds were not needed for her, and she hastened gladly to the place of her torture. Next, when the judge saw that pain had no terrors for her, he inflicted an insult worse than death. Her clothes were stripped off, and she had to stand in the street before a pagan crowd; yet even this did not daunt her. “Christ,” she said, “will guard His own.” So it was. Christ showed, by a miracle, the value which He sets upon the custody of the eyes. Whilst the crowd turned away their eyes from the spouse of Christ, as she stood exposed to view in the street, there was one young man who dared to gaze at the innocent child with immodest eyes. A flash of light struck him blind, and his companions bore him away half dead with pain and terror.

Lastly, her fidelity to Christ was proved by flattery and offers of marriage. But she answered, “Christ is my Spouse: He chose me first, and His I will be.” At length the sentence of death was passed. For a moment she stood erect in prayer, and then bowed her neck to the sword. At one stroke her head was severed from her body, and the angels bore her pure soul to Paradise.

REFLECTION: Her innocence endeared St. Agnes to Christ, as it has endeared her to His Church ever since. Even as penitents we may imitate this innocence of hers in our own degree. Let us strictly guard our eyes, and Christ, when He sees that we keep our hearts pure for love of Him, will renew our youth, and give us back the years which the canker-worm has wasted.

WORD OF THE DAY

CONTUMELY. The act of unjustly dishonoring another in his presence. It corresponds to what is popularly called an insult. Contumely sins against justice and charity, for it goes against one’s right to the honor and marks of respect that accord with person’s character and standing. It is not merely a failure to pay due honor to a person, but a positive act of dishonor that expresses contempt. Among other forms of contumely are mimicry, lampoons, sardonic grins, caricatures, a slap in the face, and burning in effigy. Contumely is a grave sin if it does serious injury to another’s honor, and restitution then is necessary. (Etym. Latin contumelia, insult, reproach, affront.)

Modern Catholic Dictionary, Fr. John Hardon SJ (Get the real one at Eternal Life — don’t accept an abridged or edited version of this masterpiece!)

There is Also This Christmastide Meditation

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