St. Agnes of Montepulciano

Today is the feast of St. Agnes of Montepulciano, a Nun of the Order of Preachers.

Saint Agnes was born at Gracciano, Italy, in 1268 and entered a monastery at Montepulciano at the age of nine. At the age of fifteen by indult of the Holy See she was appointed superior of a monastery of nuns a Viterbo. In response to the entreaties of the people of Montepulciano she returned there in 1306 to takecharge of a newly founded monastery which followed the Rule of Saint Augustine. A few years later she placed this monastery under the direction of the Order of Preachers and sought evangelical perfection according to the way of Saint Dominic. Agnes was devoted to the infant Jesus and the Virgin Mary, manifested the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and was a model of prayer and charity. She worked for civil peace and unity. Saint Catherine of Siena regarded her as her "glorious mother." She died on April 20, 1317.

Bl. Raymond of Capua, spiritual director of St. Catherine, wrote her biography. Our Sr. Mary Martin is in the midst of the first ever English translation.