The Skull of Saint Agnes of Rome

The Skull of St. Agnes of Rome

 

St. Agnes, whose name means “pure” in Greek and “lamb” in Latin, was a beautiful Roman girl who turned away all her suitors because of her consecration to Christ. This angered the men very much, and finding Agnes’ resolution unshakable, they accused her of being a Christian. They grabbed Agnes and tied her to the back of a horse and had her dragged through the streets of Rome naked. They brought her to a brothel to rape her, but those who ventured to touch her were all instantly blinded. At this, the men had enough. St. Agnes was to be burned at the stake, but the wood would not burn even the slightest bit. One frustrated soldier decided to take matters into his own hands. Hesitant to behead her, Agnes encouraged the executioner with the words: "Strike, without fear, for the bride does her Spouse [Jesus] an injury if she makes Him wait". She was martyred at the age of twelve.

 

Agnes' bones are conserved beneath the high altar in the church of Sant'Agnese fuori le mura in Rome, built over the catacomb that housed Agnes' tomb. Her skull is preserved in a separate chapel in the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone in Rome's Piazza Navona.

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