November 16 Celebration of Saints

November 16 Celebration of Saints

Saint Agnes of Assisi

Saint Agnes of Assisi, O.S.C., was born with the name Caterina in 1197 or 1198 into nobility in Assisi, Italy. She was the younger sister of Saint Clare of Assisi and a cousin of Rufino, who was one of the first three followers of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Two weeks after her sister Clare had left home to become a follower of Saint Francis of Assisi, Agnes also left home to follow Saint Francis. She went to the Benedictine Monastery of Saint Angelo, where her sister was, ready to devote herself to a life of poverty and service.

Their father sent armed relatives to bring Agnes home, but she refused to leave. When her uncle Monaldo drew his sword to strike her, his arm had no strength and he could not lift the sword.

They carried her from the monastery but her body became too heavy to carry, so they left her in a field. Believing that she was being divinely protected, her father then accepted her decision to enter the religious life.

She took the name Agnes as her religious name, and in honor of her dedication, Saint Francis cut her hair and gave her a habit.

He later founded a cloister for the sister in the town of San Damiano, where they were joined by other noblewomen who wanted to devote their lives to service. This was the start of the Order of Poor Ladies, later to beome the Order of Poor Clares.

A group of Benedictine nuns in the town of Monticelli wanted to learn about living the life of the Poor Clares, so in 1221 Clare sent her sister to lead their order. Agnes led the women with a loving heart and lived an example of virtuousness that the Sisters could embrace and follow.

Agnes of Assisi went on to establish several other orders of the Poor Clares around Italy, and is remembered as a kindhearted and benevolent leader.

Saint Clare of Assisi became ill during the summer of 1253 and her sister Agnes cared for her during her illness. Clare died on August 11, 1253 and Agnes died just three months later, on November 16.

The cultus of Saint Agnes was confirmed by Pope Benedict XIV when he canonized her a saint in 1753.

Saint Gertrude the Great

Saint Gertrude the Great, also known as Saint Gertrude of Helfta, was born on January 6, 1256 in Eisleben, Holy Roman Empire (now Germany).

At the age of four she entered the Saint Mary Monastery School, receiving a well-rounded education in various areas of study. Six years later, in 1266, she joined monastic community of Saint Mary.

When she was 25, Gertrude began to have visions, which motivated her to focus more on the study of religion and theology as she spent much of her time in prayer and meditation.

She would eventually become a well known mystic and practiced nuptial mysticism, where she considered herself to be the bride of Christ.

One of her most vivid, renowned and widely accepted visions was that of the Sacred Heart of Christ, a vision where his heart pours out a fountain of redemption.

Saint Gertrude died in Helfa circa 1302, sometime in the first years of the 14th century. She was canonized by Pope Clement XII in 1677.

In the mid-1700’s, Pope Benedict XIV gave her the title “the Great” to recognize her profound contributions to the theology and spirituality of the church.

The attributes found in her images include her wearing a black nun’s habit, holding a crosier or simple staff with a pennant, holding a heart (that may be circled with thorns), a crown, a lily and a candle.

She is patroness of youth, students, faith, souls in purgatory and the West Indies.

Other Saints for Today

Other saints for this day include:

Saint Afan, Saint Africus, Saint Alfrick, Saint Baricus, Saint Elpidius, Saint Eucherius of Lyon, Saint Fidentius, Saint Gobrain, Saint Gratia, Saint Hugh of Lincoln, Saint Joseph Moscati, Saint Lebuin, Saint Margaret of Scotland, Saint Othmar and Saint Rufinus.