Agnès de Rome
v. 291-304 3rd century Feast day: January 21
The freedom of a given heart, untouched by threat or shame.
Who was Agnès de Rome?
A Roman girl of thirteen, from a Christian family, she refused the suitors offered her, saying she was already given to Christ. Denounced during Diocletian's persecution, she was brought before the judge, humiliated, then executed for not yielding. From the fourth century her name was sung by Ambrose and Prudentius as that of a child stronger than her executioners.
In their own words
Christ is my bridegroom: He chose me first, and I shall be His.
You may stain your sword with my blood, but you shall not profane my body consecrated to Christ.