Novena to St. Agnes

January 21st.

1. A thousand times blessed be you, O admirable St. Agnes! for you consecrated yourself entirely to the Lord as soon as you knew Him. Generously despising all the deceits of the flesh, and all the pomps of the world, you refused to unite yourself to any human creature; ah, obtain for us that we may jealously preserve the virtue of chastity, and never grow cold in the divine service. Gloria.

2. Great indeed was your faith, O admirable St. Agnes, who, when threatened to be carried to a house of infamy, fearlessly declared that your Spouse would preserve you from all danger: and who, when brought into the presence of the governor, implored of God to grant you the immediate restoration of his son whom Divine vengeance had struck dead at your feet when he approached you with evil intent; ah, obtain for us that we may never be disturbed by any menaces from the world, but trust faithfully in the Divine assistance in all our necessities. Gloria.

3. O how great was your triumph, admirable St. Agnes, when condemned to be burnt alive at the tender age of thirteen, you beheld the flames separate on each side of you, to allow you to pass between them, thus disappointing the impious men who sought your death. Oh, with what joy did you await the final stroke, animating the executioner with your own voice to thrust into your bosom the sword with which he was about to accomplish your sacrifice. Obtain for us the grace to endure with an edifying resignation all the persecutions and crosses with which the Lord shall be pleased to try us; that so continually increasing in His love, we may close by the death of the just, a life of perpetual mortification. Gloria.