APPARITION OF OUR LADY TO ST AGNES OF MONTEPULCIANO

Day 38: June 18





This “little lamb” was born not far from Montepulciano in 1268. She expressed a desire to give her life to God and practiced pious exercises from an early age. Now and then, her parents gave in to her requests to visit the various convents in town. On one such occasion, Agnes and her mother were passing a house of ill repute, when a flock of crows suddenly descended upon her, pecking and scratching the little girl. Her mother remarked that the crows represented demonic forces threatened by her purity. Indeed, years later, Agnes would be asked to found a convent on that very spot.

In her teens, Agnes joined the Franciscans in Montepulciano and rose to become its prioress. Small white flakes in the form of crosses fell gently from the heavens in celebration. It is said that the sisters have preserved some of these until today. In 1306, God inspired Agnes to found a Dominican convent with three stones given her by the Blessed Mother in honor of the Trinity. The Blessed Mother had visited Agnes many times. On one of these occasions she allowed Agnes to hold the Christ Child, but Agnes showed great reluctance in giving him back.

Another time, Our Lady gave her three small stones and told her that she should use them to build a convent some day. Agnes was not at the moment even thinking about going elsewhere, and said so, but Our Lady told her to keep the stones–three, in honor of the Blessed Trinity–and one day she would need them.

Toward the end of her life, Agnes sought healing from some famous springs. Although she did not receive healing herself, her prayers effected the resurrection of a child who had drowned in the springs. In 1317, Agnes died in Montepulciano and received her long-awaited reward.

St Agnes of Montepulciano was canonized by Pope Benedict XIII in 1726. Her feast day is celebrated on April 20th.


St Justin Russolillo Writes...

"We believe, even not knowing how to define it, in a special presence of union of the Blessed Virgin Mary with Jesus in the Eucharist and with the Blessed Trinity indwelling in our souls."

(Opera Omnia, Vol. VI, no. 170, quoted in: Louis Caputo, Justinian Anthology, Vocationist Editions, Palisades Park, 2013, p. 71)


Prayer to Our Lady for Peace


God our Father, Creator of the world,

you establish the order which governs all ages.

Hear our prayer and give us peace in our time

that we may rejoice in your glory and praise you without end.

Mary, Queen of Peace, look upon us kindly.

Through your prayers obtain for us the gift of peace

which Your Son promised.

We ask this through the same Lord Jesus Christ,

Prince of Peace, Son of God, Son of Mary

who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit,

one God, forever and ever.

Amen


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