Saint Agnes of Rome

I was born in Rome in the third century. At a young age, I was so grasped by the love of God, that I decided to remain a virgin for his sake. I did not want to marry anyone, but to offer myself to God in purity. As I was a very beautiful girl, many men wanted to marry me. I refused them one by one. At that time, Rome persecuted Christians and put them to death. The prefect of Rome asked me to give up my belief and to give myself to him. Yet, I refused. Enraged, he sentenced me to death.