Also in November, we celebrate the Feast Day of St. Agnes of Assisi. Born Caterina Offreducia, Agnes was the younger sister of Saint Clare, and her first follower. When Caterina left home two weeks after Clare's departure, their family tried to drag her out of the monastery, but her body suddenly became so heavy that several knights could not budge it. Her uncle Monaldo tried to strike her but was temporarily paralyzed. The knights then left Caterina and Clare in peace. Saint Francis himself gave Clare's sister the name Agnes, because she was gentle like a young lamb.

Agnes matched her sister in devotion to prayer and willingness to follow the strict penances of the Poor Ladies. In 1221, a group of Benedictine nuns near Florence asked to become Poor Ladies. Saint Clare sent Agnes to become abbess of that monastery. After establishing other monasteries of Poor Ladies in northern Italy, Agnes was recalled to San Damiano in 1253, as Clare lay dying.  Three months later Agnes followed Clare in death, and was canonized in 1753.

 In 1212, many in Assisi surely felt that Clare and Agnes were wasting their lives. In reality, the world has been enriched by the example of these poor contemplatives and all they sacrificed. Thank you for all you give in the name of God's precious gift of LIFE despite the worldly attacks on human dignity.