Saint Agnes of Assisi

St. Agnes Sciffi, of Assisi (1197/1198 - 1253) was one of the founding members of the Order of Poor Ladies (The Poor Clares).  Agnes eventually established the convent of Monticelli near Florence, then went on to establish orders in Verona, Padua, Venice, and Mantua. As one of the first women to be a Franciscan nun and an Abbess in many communities, she helped to shape the order and provided both an example and a space for the many women that would follow in her footsteps. Agnes (born Caterina Offreducia) and her sisters, Clare and Beatrice, were daughters of a nobleman, Count Favorino Scifi. Agnes's childhood was spent between her father's home in the city of Assisi as well as his castle of Sasso Rosso on Mount Subasio with her sisters and their mother, Blessed Ortolana. On 18 March 1212, Agnes’s elder sister Clare, inspired by the example of Francis of Assisi, left their father's home in secret to become a follower of Francis. Sixteen days later, moved by her desire to live like Christ, Agnes ran off to the Church of St. Angelo di Panzo, where Francis had brought her sister, resolved to share Clare's life of poverty and penance. Angry at the loss of two of his daughters to the convent, their father sent his brother Monaldo and eleven other relatives and armed followers to the monastery to attempt to bring Agnes home and be wed. Agnes refused their demands, and the men began to ambush her, attempting to drag her from the church while striking and kicking her repeatedly. Her body suddenly became so heavy that the men could not lift her from the ground. This infuriated her uncle, Monaldo, who drew his sword to strike his niece. At that moment, his arm allegedly dropped to his side, withered and useless. Agnes's relatives, realizing that something divine protected her, allowed her to remain with Clare and live a life of celibacy and devotion to Christ.