Behold the Lamb

Today is the feast day of St. Agnes:
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St. Agnes (†304) – Jan 21
Only 12 years old at the time or her martyrdom, Agnes (“chaste” in Greek, “lamb” in Latin) was pursued by suitors for marriage; but when she refused, she was turned over to the authorities as a Christian & executed. The shock of Roman citizens over her death helped bring an end to the persecutions. Her holiness was so highly regarded that Constantine’s daughter built a church over her grave, which still stands today. She is the protector of girls.

Today is also the day that the pope blesses the lambs who will be sheared to make the next archbishop's palliums (see here).

Fr. Z has a very in-depth piece on the relics of this young saint & their history (see here).
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St. Agnes, ora pro nobis!