Agnes, upon reaching the age of 13, had already dedicated her virginity to Christ. She was blessed with a great beauty and many would-be suitors sought to win her maidenhead (or rape the child, if you will). Agnes told one and all that her virginity was sacred to Jesus, and she rebuffed all advances.

Thereupon, she was ratted out to the authorities as a Christian and the prosecutor–one of her rebuffed suitors–sought to have her either submit to him sexually or be punished severely. Agnes was shown hooks heated in the fires, the rack, and other implements of torture, yet she would not be moved. She was threatened with unspeakable tortures, but refused not only to spread her legs but also refused even to nod her head to an idol (Butler reports).

Distressed by this 13 year old’s intransigence, the prosecutor persuaded the judge/Governor to consign Agnes to a public brothel with the declaration that any and all may come thither to rape her at will (and at no charge). Yet as many men as showed up at the brothel, upon beholding her glowing countenance, went away, unable to consummate their desires. One tried, only to be struck blind and lame by lightning. Her virginity still intact, Agnes prayed to God, and that man’s sight and strength were returned to him, and he was immediately healed (and did not again approach Agnes).

At length, the prosecutor decided to seek the death penalty for Agnes and the Governor ordered her to be beheaded. “[T]ransported with joy,” Agnes “went to the place of her execution, more cheerfully than others go to their wedding.” (?!?!?!!)  Agnes was then beheaded and buried just outside Rome.

Consider that it was more blessed for this child to be beheaded than to lose her virginity. Consider that God didn’t strike the executioner with lightning. What is the message here for us, today?