Image: Mosaic of Saint Agnes of Rome | Haarlemmermeerplein, Amsterdam | flickr Saint of the Day for January 21 (d. c. 258) Click here to listen Saint Agnes’ Story Almost nothing is known of this saint except that she was very young—12 or 13—when she was martyred in the last half of the third century. Various modes of death have been suggested—beheading, burning, strangling. Legend has it that Agnes was a beautiful girl whom many young men wanted to marry. Among those she refused, one reported her to the authorities for being a Christian. She was arrested and confined to a house of prostitution. The legend continues that a man who looked upon her lustfully lost his sight and had it restored by her prayer. Agnes was condemned, executed, and buried near Rome in a catacomb that eventually was named after her. The daughter of Constantine built a basilica in her honor. Reflection Like that of Maria Goretti in the 20th century, the martyrdom of a virginal young girl made a […]