Prayers

O SINGULAR example of virtue, glorious St Agnes, by that lively faith which animated thee from thy most tender years, and rendered thee so acceptable to GOD that thou didst merit the crown of martyrdom; obtain for us the grace to preserve entire in our hearts the Catholic Faith, and sincerely to profess ourselves Christians not only in word but also in deed; so that while we confess JESUS openly in the face of men, JESUS may give favourable testimony of us before his Heavenly FATHER. PATER, Ave, Gloria. O INVINCIBLE martyr, St Agnes, by that hope which thou hadst in the divine aid, when being condemned by the impious prefect to see the lily of thy purity stained and trampled under foot, thou wast wholly undismayed, firmly trusting in the GOD who gives his angels charge over those who trust in Him; we beseech thee to obtain for us by thy intercession the grace to guard this virtue jealously in our hearts, so that to the many sins which we commit we may never add that most hateful sin of distrust in the mercy of GOD. PATER, Ave, Gloria. O BRAVE child, most pure St Agnes, by that ardent charity which enflamed thy heart and secured thee from being injured by the flames of passion or of the stake at which the enemies of JESUS CHRIST sought to destroy thee; obtain for us from GOD that every fire may be extinguished in us except that which JESUS CHRIST came on earth to enkindle; so that after passing- a spotless life in the exercise of this beautiful virtue we may be allowed to share in that glory which is the crown of thy purity of heart and of thy martyrdom. PATER, Ave, Gloria.

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ST BARBARA, VIRGIN