ST. AGNES OF MONTEPULCIANO

Today is the feast day of St. Agnes of Montepulciano.  That said, I love discovering new saints. St Agnes of Montepulciano is one of those saints.

This morning I checked my excellent Catholic Faith Calendar mailed to me this year by a sister friend (couldn't get mine the regular way due to Covid).  In this beautiful wall calendar I discovered that it is St. Agnes of Montepulciano's feast today-- 20 April.

Continuing.


"Agnes of Montepulciano (1268-1317) was a Dominican prioress in medieval Tuscany, who was known as a miracle worker during her lifetime.  She is honoured as a saint by the Catholic church." (Wikipedia).

Next.

What struck me about St. Agnes of Montepulciano is that she was frequently called upon to bring peace to the warring families of the city.  
 I'm thinking of the political and culture wars in my city of Toronto, in the United States, and all over the whole wide world.  I'm thinking of families (including my own) who are estranged by issues around trauma.

St. Agnes of Montepulciano Pray for us!

Continuing.

What also strikes me about St. Agnes of Montepulciano is the young age in which she was appointed to leadership.  At only 20 years of age she was elected as the abbess of her community. St. Agnes intercede to inspire young women and men (all people) in crisis during Covid -- Strengthen and inspire them to become leaders like you.  

St. Agnes of Montepulciano Pray for us!

Another thing that struck me about St. Agnes of Montepulciano was that she also gained a reputation for healing people suffering from mental and physical illness.
St. Agnes of Montepulciano intercede for us during this Covid pandemic that is causing so much fear and stress, anxiety, grief, physical pain, suffering, and death.  
 
St. Agnes Pray for us!

 Last and most poignant for me about St. Agnes of Montepulciano; it is said that "By 1316, Agnes' health had declined so greatly that her doctor suggested taking the cure at the thermal springs in the neighbouring town of Chianciano Terme.  The nuns of the community prevailed upon her to take his recommendation. While many of the other bathers reported being cured of their illnesses, Agnes herself received no benefit from the springs."  (Wikipedia).  

This reminds me of the many faithful people who make pilgrimage to places like Lourdes, or Fatima, or to Our Lady of Guadalupe seeking healing for themselves and do not receive it personally. But whose presence seems to cause others to be healed. 

(I know a young woman like that in Idaho) 

St. Agnes of Montepulciano pray for her, pray for us!
 



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