Events for Monday 21st January 2019

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According to St. Augustine and Ambrose, St. Agnes was martyred at the age of 12. Wealthy and beautiful, she was martyred for her virginity in the last persecutions in Rome, 4th Century. Pope Damasus adorned her tomb with sacred poetry. St. Agnes is represented with a martyr's palm and a lamb. 
On her feast day, January 21st, the pope blesses the Pallium, a stole made from lambs wool which is the insignia of, and worn by, metropolitans (archbishops with a supervisory role in the Church). St. Agnes is mentioned in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I). She is the Patron Saint of Children of Mary, Engaged Couples, Girls, and Young Girls.

Feast of St Agnes

 

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Pope St. Martin I was born in Todo, Italy. He was the last pope to die a martyr. St. Martin called the Council at the Lateran Basilica in his first year and condemned Heraclius and Monothelitism, going against a decree by the Byzantine Emperor who commanded there be no discussion of the issue.