St. Agnes

Agnes was only twelve years old when she was led to the alter of the pagan goddess Minerva in Rome to offer incense t her. But, she raised her hands to Jesus Christ and made the Sign of the Cross.
      The soldiers bound her hands and feet. Her young was so thin that the chains slipped from her wrists. When the judge saw that she was not afraid of pain, he had her cloths stripped off, and she had to stand in the street before a pagan crowd. She cried out: "Christ will guard His own."
       Agnes was offered the hand of a rich young man in marriage, but she answered: "Christ is my Spouse. He close me first and His I will be. He made my soul beautiful with the jewels of grace and virtue. I belong to Him Whom the angles serve."
       She bowed her head to she sword. At one stroke her head was cut off. The Name Agnes means "lamb." She was gentle and pure.