St. Agnes of Assisi

 

 

Agnes of Assisi was only fourteen years old when God called her to His service.  She made her way to the convent which her sister Clare had entered only sixteen days before.  Throwing herself into her sister’s arms, the good child begged her to accept her as a companion in her life of penance.  But, as might be expected, her father flew into a great rage, gathered all his brothers and other relatives, told them of his grief, and asked for their assistance in tearing Agnes from her convent.  Sixteen of them appeared one day before the young virgin, appealed to her filial devotion, affection for her parents and great youth, but she remained inflexible in her resolve.  Her father’s envoys then laid their hands on her, kicked her, and attempted to drag her towards her father’s home.  They had already dragged her to the foot of the mountain, when they were suddenly stopped by an invisible hand.  They attempted to lift their light burden, but all in vain.  God performed a miracle in favor of little Agnes, who in her heart had begged Him to come to her aid.  Her parents were obliged to accept the will of God.  Thus they let their child follow the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

When Francis heard of the victory of this young virgin, he gave great thanks to God.  He then led the two sisters to St. Damian’s, where he dressed the humble postulant in a very simple habit, and immediately consecrated her to God.  From that time on, Agnes applied herself to practicing all the virtues.  She seemed, in the cloister, like an angel of innocence.  She had a wonderful devotion towards the Child Jesus, who often visited her.  She was also favored with frequent ecstasies.  After having been Superior in several convents of her Order, she died in Assisi a short time after her sister, on November 16, 1253.