Saint Agnes

Virgin and Martyr, Memorial

Other Celebrations for this Day:

Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

Liturgical Cycle: A, B, C | Lectionary Cycle: I, II

Introduction

Few saints have been as popular in Rome as the twelve or thirteen-year-old girl martyr St. Agnes. At a time of massive defections from the faith, in 305, she endured torture with idealism and patient faithfulness. Even the young can make hard decisions. She is celebrated today by the pope blessing unblemished lambs from whose wool the pallium (liturgical vestment of archbishops) will be woven.

St Agnes was martyred at the end of the persecution of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, probably in the early years of the 4th century. She is thought to have been between 12 and 15 years of age. The name ‘Agnes’ comes from the Latin word for ‘lamb’ (agna). she was very young when she gave her life to preserve her integrity. St Ambrose says she was just 12 when suffered martyrdom.

Opening Prayer

God our Father,
youth and innocence are no obstacle
to understand the message of your Son
and to follow him with courage.
Let the quiet strength of St. Agnes inspire us
not to be ashamed of your Son
and of his message of life and freedom
even in the face of contradiction.
As we bear the name of your Son,
help us to be ever faithful to him,
for he is our Lord for ever.

First Reading

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters.
Not many of you were wise by human standards,
not many were powerful,
not many were of noble birth.
Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise,
and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong,
and God chose the lowly and despised of the world,
those who count for nothing,
to reduce to nothing those who are something,
so that no human being might boast before God.
It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus,
who became for us wisdom from God,
as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,
so that, as it is written,
Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 23:1b-3a, 4, 5, 6

R.   (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R.   The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R.   The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R.   The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R.   The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Alleluia Verse

John 15:9b, 5b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Remain in my love, says the Lord;
whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Matthew 13:44-46

Jesus said to his disciples:
"The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field,
which a person finds and hides again,
and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant
searching for fine pearls.
When he finds a pearl of great price,
he goes and sells all that he has and buys it."

Prayers of the Faithful

Prayer over the Gifts

God our Father,
with bread and wine we remember
how your Son laid down his life
for us, his friends.
Let him fill us with fresh courage
to go his way and to be close to him
in life and in death,
for he is our Lord for ever.

Prayer after Communion

Lord, almighty God,

by what is young and frail
you put to shame those who think
they are experienced and strong.
By the word and the body of Jesus Christ
give us the courage to live up
to the demands of the gospel.
Like to St. Agnes,
May your Son mean so much to us
that he is our life even in death
and that with him we rise
above pain and sorrow,
For he is our Lord forever.