Today, April 20, is the memorial of Saint Agnes of Montepulciano.
About 70 years after Agnes died, her body remained incorrupt. St. Catherine of Siena made a pilgrimage to Agnes’ shrine. As St. Catherine bowed to kiss St. Agnes’ foot in reverence and devotion, St. Agnes’ foot rose toward her.
Even at an early age, Agnes wanted to give her life entirely to God. Agnes, accompanied by her mother, was looking for a convent when they passed by a house of prostitutes. Crows suddenly appeared and attacked Agnes. Her mother said the crows represented the demons threatened by her purity. Years later, Agnes would found a convent on that very spot.
In her teens, Agnes joined the Franciscans in Montepulciano and was elected prioress. Small white flakes in the form of crosses fell gently from the heavens that day.
In 1306, God inspired Agnes to found a Dominican convent with three stones given her by the Blessed Mother in honor of the Trinity. The Blessed Mother had visited Agnes many times. One time, the Virgin Mary allowed Agnes to carry the Child Jesus.
In life, Agnes was a miracle worker and a healer, and was a recipient of wonderful mystical experiences.
Agnes died of natural causes at age 49 in 1317. She was beatified in 1534 by Pope Clement VII. She was canonized in 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII.