# A Prayer to Mary, Our Mother on the Feast of St. Agnes
*2016-01-21*

> Bill Young reflects on the brief but heroic life of St. Agnes and leads a prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary written by Pope Paul VI.

## St. Agnes: A Young Martyr

Good morning. This is Bill Young, and welcome to Prayer in Lawn’s podcast. Today, Thursday, January 21st, we celebrate the feast of St. Agnes. Very little is known about her, but tradition tells us she was only twelve or thirteen when she was martyred in the late third century. A beautiful young girl, she rejected numerous suitors who wanted to marry her. One angry suitor denounced her to the Roman authorities. She was arrested, forced into a house of prostitution, and ultimately suffered martyrdom—perhaps by beheading, fire, or strangulation. Her brief life reminds us that holiness does not require a long span of years; even a young person can bear witness to Christ.

## Why We Pray to Mary

In light of St. Agnes’ example, we turn to Mary, our Mother, for guidance and intercession. The prayer we will recite was composed by Pope Paul VI. It asks Mary to draw the modern world, which often turns its back on the light of Christ, back toward the truth and love she embodies.

## Prayer to Mary, Our Mother

Look, O Mary, upon all humanity in this modern world, which the divine plan has called to live and work. It is a world that turns its back on the light of Christ and groans in the shadow it has created for itself. Your most human voice, O most beautiful among virgins, O most worthy among mothers, O blessed among all women, invites the world to turn its gaze toward life, toward you, the light of all people, the shining lamp of Christ, the supreme light of the world. May the world receive the joy of living as creatures of God, reflecting His mysteries and blessed image. Grant the world the capacity to receive every gift from God, the virtue to act with goodness, and the wisdom to use those gifts providentially. Impart peace to the world; may all who are divided become brothers and sisters. Lead us to a more orderly and united society, comfort the suffering, and bring rest to the deceased. Show yourself as Mother to us. This is our prayer, O Clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.

## Closing Hope

May we, like St. Agnes, embrace the call to holiness and, through Mary’s intercession, become united as one body in Christ.

*Even a brief life can bear great witness; with Mary’s help we are called to holiness and unity.*