Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr

Saint Agnes of Rome was born around 291 into a noble Roman family and was raised in the Christian faith. While still an adolescent—only about twelve or thirteen—she resolved to belong wholly to Christ, guarding her purity of heart and body. During the persecution under Emperor Diocletian, her refusal to marry and to renounce the Lord provoked powerful suitors and officials. Brought before authorities and pressured even by her own father to deny God, Agnes remained steadfast. Tradition recounts that she was publicly humiliated and threatened with violence, yet God preserved her dignity and used her prayer to touch hearts. When attempts to kill her by fire failed, she was finally put to death by the sword on 21 January 304, sealing her witness as a virgin martyr. From the earliest centuries she has been honored throughout the Church, often shown with a lamb as a sign of innocence and of her name. She is a patron for those seeking chastity and purity, and of young girls. Her feast day is January 21.

Saint Publius was born in the first century, likely on the island of Malta, where he held a position of leadership and was known as the “chief of the island.” When the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked on Malta, Publius welcomed him with generous hospitality, receiving him and his companions for three days. Through this providential meeting, Publius encountered the Gospel firsthand: after Paul prayed and laid hands on Publius’ father—who was suffering from fever and dysentery—the man was healed. Tradition holds that Publius’ heart was opened to Christ, and that his conversion helped plant the Church in Malta, remembered as a decisive beginning of Christian faith in the West. Honored as Malta’s first canonized saint, Publius is revered as the first Bishop of Malta and is also associated with the early Church in Athens. He is remembered as a faithful shepherd who ultimately gave his life for Christ, martyred during imperial persecution around the second century. Saint Publius is patron of Floriana and one of the patron saints of Malta. His feast day is January 21.