St Agnes of Rome, Virgin & Martyr

Blessed Agnes, * in the midst of the flames, stretched out her hands and prayed: I call on thee, O Father transcendent, august, and dread; for by thy holy Son’s protection I have escaped the threats of an impious tyrant, and passed unscathed through the foulness of fleshly pollution: and behold, I come to thee, whom I have loved, whom I have sought, whom I have alway desired.

℣.In thy grace and in thy beauty.

℟.Go forth, ride prosperously, and reign.

Lo, that which I desired, * now I see; that for which I hoped, I now possess; I am united in heaven unto him, whom on earth I loved with a perfect devotion.

℣.Full of grace are thy lips.

℟.Because God hath blessed thee for ever.

While the blessed Agnes * was standing in the midst of the flames, she stretched out her hands, and prayed unto God: Almighty Lord, worthy of all adoration, fear, and worship: I bless thy holy Name, and I glorify thee for ever and ever.

Almighty and everlasting God, who dost choose the weak things of the world to confound the strong: mercifully grant that we who keep the solemn feast of blessed Agnes, thy Virgin and Martyr, may know the protection of her prayer before thee. Through thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth God, world without end.

℟.Amen.