Saint Agnes

Agnes, Saint, 4th-century virgin martyr of the Roman Catholic Church and patron saint of young girls. For refusing to sacrifice to pagan gods, she was disgraced, miraculously saved, and martyred. On her feast day, Jan. 21, the pope blesses 2 lambs in the church of St. Agnes; their wool is used to weave palla (items of ceremonial dress) for archbishops.