St. Agnes ~ Love of God

“Jesus Christ is my only Spouse.” ~ St. Agnes

St. Agnes’ Feast Day is January 21st in the Traditional and New Calendar

Patron: Affianced couples; betrothed couples; bodily purity; chastity; Children of Mary; Colegio Capranica of Rome; crops; engaged couples; gardeners; girls; rape victims; diocese of Rockville Centre, New York; virgins.

Symbols: Lamb; woman with long hair and a lamb, sometimes with a sword at her throat; woman with a dove which holds a ring in its beak; woman with a lamb at her side.

“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 woman with awe, and the unmarried with emulation. It seems to me that this child, holy beyond her years and courageous beyond human nature, received the name of Agnes (Greek: pure) not as an earthly designation but as a revelation from God of what she was to be.”  ~ St. Augustine

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“May God’s little lamb, St. Agnes of Rome, intercede for us that we would be loyal to the faith she professed!  And should we ever be disloyal, may God’s grace bring us to repentance!”

~ Fr. Miguel Marie Soeherman, MFVA

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St. Agnes is the patroness of young girls and her symbol is, naturally, a lamb.

This month’s Little Flowers meeting was on St. Agnes and Love of God.  There were 27 girls in attendance.  The girls attended Mass with their families. A few were accompanied by Mrs. K and Mrs. C.

Father L was not available this week. He was missed by all.

I opted out of coordinating stations this month. It turned out great.

We recapped last month’s saint and virtue – St. Catherine Laboure & Humility.

The girls then learned about this month’s virtue, Love of God. It is the third theological virtue.

“If I . . . have not charity,” says the Apostle, “I am nothing.” Whatever my privilege, service, or even virtue, “if I . . . have not charity, I gain nothing.”¹⁰³ Charity is superior to all the virtues. It is the first of the theological virtues: “So faith, hope, charity abide, these three. But the greatest of these is charity.” ~ CCC 1826

We recalled the two previous theological virtues that were studied. I drew the flower, stem and root diagram to help the girls better understand the three theological virtues.

“Every flower has a root, a stem, a blossom; this last is the fairest of the the three. And it is just the same with the glorious flower which the three theological virtues combine to form. From the root, which is faith, springs the stem, which is hope, and the lovely flower of charity crowns them both.” ~ Father Lasance’s Catholic Girls Guide

The girls also took some time to recollect on ways that they show their love for God. I emphasized God’s call for young children, as stated by Father Lasance.

“If you do not now, in the golden days of youth, obtain the mastery over the devil, the world, and the flesh, you will find it difficult, if not impossible, later on to gain the victor’s crown.” ~ Catholic Girl’s Guide

We also went over how to know God’s will.  Father Lasance states, “Sermons, religious instructions, and pious books, will teach you what His will is.”

I tried to hone in on God’s love for us. We discussed the most profound way that He shows His love for us, each day, the sacrifice of the Mass. We also reflected on the fact that Jesus would have been sent to this earth to die for each one of us, even if we were the only one on earth – that’s how much He loves us.

Mrs. S graciously offered to read the brief bio of St. Agnes. The girls were enthralled with Agnes name meaning Lamb in Latin and that she was 12 when she was killed. Her pious youth and profound Love for God was not easy to convey in such a short time. I encouraged all the girls to go home to further discuss the life of St. Agnes with their families.

We made edible heart bracelets for the craft of the month. The hearts were to represent the virtue of Charity – Love of God. The girls enjoyed sewing their bracelets together. They were instructed to perform an act that showed their Love of God, in order to eat a heart from their bracelet. I’m sure their bracelets were gone in no time!

Thank you to all the moms who lent a helping hand. It is a wonderful blessing to be able to serve you and your girls. I appreciate all you do!

St. Agnes, Ora Pro Nobis

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HANDOUTS:

• Divider Page
• Activity Sheet
• Love of God Memory Verse
• Coloring Page – St. Agnes from Curmudgeonry
• Act of Charity
• Love of God Info Sheet (pictured above)
• Theological Virtues Flower (pictured above)

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“Christ made my soul beautiful with the jewels of grace and virtue. I belong to Him whom the angels serve.” ~  Saint Agnes

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RESOURCES:

• St. Agnes Love of God Info Page – inspiration found here by Jessica
• St. Agnes Bio – Catholic Culture
• St. Agnes Bio – New Advent

RESOURCES FOR KIDS

• St. Agnes Bio for Kids – Holy Spirit Interactive
• St. Agnes Bio for Families – Domestic-Church.com
• St. Agnes Crafts – Catholic Icing
• St. Agnes Coloring Page – Paper Dali

CRAFT:

• Love of God Candy Heart Bracelet

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Prayers to St. Agnes of Rome

O glorious St. Agnes, you served God in humility and confidence on earth and are now in the enjoyment of His beatific Vision in heaven because you persevered till death and gained the crown of eternal life. Remember now the dangers that surround me in the vale of tears, and intercede for me in my needs and troubles. Amen.

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O sweetest Lord Jesus Christ, source of all virtue, lover of virgins, most powerful conqueror of demons, most severe extirpator of vice! Deign to cast Thine eyes upon my weakness, and through the intercession of Mary most blessed, mother and virgin, and of thy beloved spouse, St. Agnes, glorious virgin and martyr, grant me the aid of thy heavenly grace, in order that I may learn to despise all earthly things, and to love what is heavenly, to oppose vice and to be proof against temptation; to walk firmly in the path of virtue, not to seek honors, to shun pleasures, to bewail my past offences, to keep far from the occasions of evil, to keep free from bad habits, to seek the company of the good, and persevere in righteousness, so that, by the assistance of thy grace, I may deserve the crown of eternal life, together with St. Agnes and all the saints, forever and ever, in thy kingdom.  Amen.