Too young to be punished, yet old enough for a martyr's crown

Treasures of Our Faith with Deacon Richard Vehige · Jan 21, 2026 · 6m

Today, January 21, as our Church celebrates the Memorial of Agnes, Virgin and Martyr, we are invited to read and reflect on a passage from the first letter of the apostle Paul to the Corinthians (7: 25-40), entitled "Christian chastity". Our treasure, which follows, is from a treatise On Virgins by Saint Ambrose, bishop.

St. Agnes of Rome was born in 291 AD and raised in a Christian family. Agnes was very beautiful and belonged to a wealthy family. Her hand in marriage was highly sought after, and she had many high-ranking men chasing after her. However, Agnes made a promise to God never to…