An anonymous author popularized her story through a biography, “ The Life of St. Agnes of Rome: Virgin and Martyr,” written in French in the 1800s and translated to English soon after.

Agnes (named after Agnes of Rome, a patron saint of virgins and victims of sexual abuse) had been found in her convent room covered in blood while, nearby, a garbage can contained the body of a ...

At first glance, this selection from the Gospel of Mark might seem discordant with the Memorial of St. Agnes of Rome, which the church celebrates today.