Saint Agnes, Virgin Martyr

From a treatise On Virgins by Saint Ambrose, bishop:

Today is the birthday of a virgin; let us imitate her purity. It is the birthday of a martyr; let us offer ourselves in sacrifice. It is the birthday of Saint Agnes, who is said to have suffered martyrdom at the age of twelve. The cruelty that did not spare her youth shows all the more clearly the power of faith in finding one so young to bear it witness.

Now behold how St. Ambrose describes the execution:

You could see fear in the eyes of the executioner, as if he were the one condemned; his right hand trembled, his face grew pale as he saw the girl's peril, while she had no fear for herself. ... Agnes ... gained a martyr's crown.

Almighty ever-living God, who choose what is weak in the world to confound the strong, mercifully grant, that we, who celebrate the heavenly birthday of your martyr Saint Agnes, may follow her constancy in the faith. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Farmer Pope

St. Fabian was a farmer who became Pope and, later, martyr. He reigned from A.D. 236 until A.D. 250. He defended the Deposit of the Faith against heresy. St. Cyprian calls him an incomparable man.

In A.D. 250, Roman Emperor Decius required everyone in Rome to offer public sacrifice to the pagan gods of Rome or be killed--and the law was applied first of all to the bishops, especially the Bishop of Rome, who enjoys primacy over the whole Church. Pope Fabian suffered martyrdom rather than deny his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

God chooses the weak and makes them strong in bearing witness to Him.