The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-01-18
Solemn Blessing will DO Given to all the Children
Present, in which They will be Recon-
mended to the Care and Protection
Of their Young Patroness.
ORIGIN AND OBJECT OF THE CEREMONY

Tn the wear 303 Diocletian commenced his
almost unparalleled persecution of the Chris
tians in Rome, and in the following year st.
Agnes, a child only twelve years old, succeed
cd in becoming ono of the victims OF his most
cruel and bloody edicts. This child-mareyr
was of the noblest Roman parentage. her
riches and beauty caused the young noolemen
of the first families in Rome to vie with ono
another in their addresses who should gain
her in marriage. In answer to the proposal"
of them all, Agnes said that she had conse-
ttaSed her virginity to Heavenly spouse
Who could not be seen with mortal eyes,
! Her suitors made use of all sorts of arts and
importunities, calculated to induce her to
Withdraw the sacrifice she had made of herself
to her Divine Spouse. But finding all in vain,
| thew accused her to the Governor AZ Chris-
tiau. with The hope that threats and torments
would overcome her tender mind The Cover
nor ordered the terrible fires TO be made, and
;ro, hooks. racks, and other instruments OF
torture to be displayed before her, with threats
of immediate execution. The young virgin
suryeyed them all with an undsunted eye, ana
Nth a cheerful countenapce did this wonder
In, child behold tho fierce and cruel e1ecu-
. TONERS surrounding her, and ready to dispstcn
:, her ut the word of command, IL she would not
; +,te tho incense in her little hand and offer II
To their inols in order to deny the divinity Oh
leans Christ. But seeing that no human
mower could prevail on this child of tender
vears to thus deny the living God and forsaKe
her chosen Spouse the Infamous tyrant or
:. dered that tho virtue which she loved more
than life itself should be taken from her' II
IT homes that she then might offer incense TO tu'
1t paean gods. Agnes answered that Jesus ChriS
t, vas too Jealous of the purity of HIS spouse
l., to suffer it to be violated in such manner, 10
;. He vas til cir defender and protector. 1o'
NAV" said She " stain your SWORD WIN IL
blood, but will never be able to Protahe III.
( body, con secrated to Christ" And, accoroln
to the history of the events 1t WAS noo Agn0'
n I'm. her Divine Spouse, who then spoke throng
nd her lips For, after being led to tho place III
ng pointed for this pagan crime, the hrss ono 'n'
nv 4.,,ntad To be rude to her was that very II
Of .tont nv a fash az it were, of lightning fro
'ur heaven. struck blind and fell trembling to IL
Ground. Agnes, in the meantime, was einRiu
HYMNS Of praise to Christ, with the 1uL con
dence of His protection. Aud seeing the youl
man who approached her with this evil des'i
living PROSTATE, blind and halfdead before NJ
far "a a Saint would do, che offered mp pray
at. for him, which was so powerful Win zoo Ill
ant t. ;mmediately restored him to sight al
o" haRlth 9n0 bnuB bl hAS 0Nht
lie eped from an attempt of the same GRIN
~ At length Agnes bowed her neck 70 ao'
~ God upder the sword of the executloner'
lew rec.iyed the stroke of death: On tue We
md snot which was censecrated with her virgin
the blood still stands one of the most OoNu''
Oh churcbes in the Christian world. 4hl" cnuf
", VI ,ives title to q Cardinal, and every year.
orr b.r FEAST there is a solemn high mass a' VIM
as ,b.,e are blessed two lambs, which are toei
Few carried to the Pope, by whom they are az
eto- blessed. 1t is out of the wool Of those Ian
'tSe that palliums made aud sent Oy inc r
~: 70 every rewIy-created Archbishop az an
,ucb bl.m OF meekuess and spotless purity.
liar thus st. Agnes has been always Ronoreo In
ons. catholic Church as q special patronsss OF Pui
rent 9TH the Imma culate Mother of COD. ana
ines fame of this marvellous young saint has spf
I''N' among all nations, and her interceSsion Is
our voksd to this day by youthful Christians
mers vish to live in the virtues for which Sne
NOR o bloody death.
4 tho Her feast is on the 2lst Of January az
""' was in connection with this feast tna' We