Today (Jan 21) the Church reflects and honours the martyrdom of Agnes, a child martyr in the year 304.

Agnes is one of the most well-known and widely venerated of the early Roman martyrs, perhaps because of the expression of mature resilience and sheer bravery in a girl of thirteen.

Agnes is reputed to have refused an arranged marriage because of her total dedication to Christ and stated that she preferred even death of the body to the death of her consecrated virginity.

The growing veneration for the state of consecrated virginity at this time, combined with the last major Roman persecution under the emperor Diocletian, climaxing in an innocent virgin-child willingly shedding her blood for Christ, placed her at the forefront of veneration almost from the moment the persecution ended.

She is believed to have died in the year 304 and her feast has ever since been celebrated on this day.