Saint Agnes of Assisi (1197-1253)

Saint Agnes was the sister of Saint Clare, and also her first follower. At first, her family disapproved of her choice, and tried to bring her back home. However, when they tried to take her from the monastery, her body suddenly became so heavy that even several knights could not carry her. When the knights realized that they could not lift her, they left both Agnes and Clare alone. Agnes was just as devout and dedicated as Clare. When a community of Benedictine nuns expressed their interest in becoming Poor Clares, Agnes became the abbess of their monastery. Even though she enjoyed her time with this new group, Agnes missed Clare and her fellow nuns at San Damiano. She eventually rejoined them when Clare was dying. Three months after the passing of her sister, Saint Agnes was also called to her heavenly home. She was canonized in 1753.