PATRONESS OF PRIESTS AND BABIES

Another holy woman, who lived long ago,  and gave her life for the sanctification of priests was  BLESSED AGNES of JESUS (Agnes de Langeac). She was the daughter of Pierre Galand, a knife-maker, and his wife Guillemette Massiote a lace-maker. She was the third of seven children, born in 1602  in Puy-en-Velay, France . 

At the age of 7, Agnes gave herself entirely to the Blessed Virgin praying: " Holy Virgin, since you deign to want me to be yours, from this moment I offer you all that I am and I promise to serve you all my life as a slave . "

Shortly afterwards she made her First Communion, taking a vow of virginity.  Agnes used to give alms to all the poor she met in the streets of Le Puy. In her teens she taught catechism and took special care of pregnant women. 

She is known as a helper for difficult pregnancies and for couples who want a child. It was in 1952 in Langeac, through her intercession that a mother gave birth, while her life and that of the baby were in danger. The miracle was recognized and made way for the beatification of Agnes in Rome in 1994.

In 1623  she left the Le Puy to go to the Dominican monastery of St. Catherine of Siena in Langeac . She made profession there on 2 February 1625 and in 1627

was named prioress. She was noted for her  kindness and love of her sisters.

Through her prayers and counsels she led Jean-Jacques Olier towards the foundation of the first Seminaries of Saint Sulpice.

 

Agnes of Jesus bore the stigmata without being visible externally.

She died on 19 October 1634 , leaving her daughters as a spiritual charge to pray for priests and priestly vocations.

Agnes of Jesus was beatified on 20 November 1994 by  (St.) Pope John Paul II . This beatification may seem surprising because of the sometimes confusing mystical language of Mother Agnes; however, the great simplicity of her faith, her vocation to pray for priestly vocations and her devotion to the Holy Spirit were seen as models by Pope John Paul II.