Blessed Agnellus of Pisa is remembered as the founder of the English Franciscan province, credited with bringing the Franciscan rule to Great Britain in 1224. Admitted into the Order by Saint Francis himself, Agnellus was a tireless missionary of God’s love, going wherever he was asked, enduring harsh and inhospitable conditions.Born in Pisa of noble family, as a youth he encountered Saint Francis, and was admitted directly into the Seraphic Order, where he became known for his pursuit of holy perfection. Saint Francis, recognizing in this young man not only zeal for God’s law, but also the meekness and humility required to counsel great leaders, mediate misunderstandings, and secure the spread of the order. Saint Francis first dispatched Agnellus to Paris, where he erected a convent, and upon success was ordered to England to establish the province. Along with nine companions, Agnellus traveled to Dover in the winter of 1224, subsisting on the alms and kindness of those they encountered, truly living the rule of poverty. They survived the winter, eating little but bread and fermented beer. Within months, Agnellus had secured a house in Oxford, which eventually became the examplar for all Franciscan provinces. Agnellus, despite his lack of personal schooling, established a school for friars at Oxford, which led to the development of the university there.
Blessed Agnellus sent his brothers across the region, and throughout Europe, spreading the word of God. He was counselor to Kings and Prices, and worked tirelessly to assist these leaders in finding political options in avoidance of war and suffering. Given his strict observance of the rule of poverty, his frequent fasting and mortification, and his travels, is was not surprising when he contracted a fatal disease. Upon returning to Oxford, he eagerly awaited death, crying out repeatedly for three days, “Come, Sweetest Jesus, Come!” His body, incorrupt, was buried in Oxford.
Saint Euphrasia was born into Roman nobility, the daughter of Antigonus, Senator of Constantinople, and cousin to Roman emperor Theodosius I who finished the conversion of Rome to a Christian state. When her father died, while Euphrasia was still very young, she and her mother became members of the emperor’s court. Euphrasia’s mother was a woman of great faith, and upon becoming a widow, consecrated her remaining years to God. With her young daughter, she moved to Egypt, where she owned an estate, and attached herself to a convent there. She would visit the sisters in faith each day, bringing young Euphrasia with her. At approximately age 7, Euphrasia requested that she be allowed to enter the convent, which her mother joyously allowed, saying, "Lord Jesus Christ, receive this child under Your special protection. It is You alone whom she loves and seeks; to You she recommends herself.”
Euphrasia moved into the convent, and her holy mother died a few years later, leaving her with these parting instructions: “"Fear God, honor your sisters, and serve them with humility. Never think of what you have been, nor say to yourself that you are of royal extraction. Be humble and poor on earth, that you may be rich in heaven." Upon her mother’s death, Euphrasia was recalled to Constantinople by the Emperor, as he had arranged a political marriage for her. Euphrasia was not to give up her vow of virginity and consecration to the Lord, however, and wrote the Emperor explaining as much. She further requested that all of her land and estates be sold, with the money used charitably to aid the poor. In her own words:
The emperor, moved by her faith, executed all her wishes before his death in 395.Saint Euphrasia exemplified humility, meekness, and charity. She was frequently tormented by temptation, which upon guidance from the abbess, she overcame through physical and oftentimes exhausting penitential labors. In one case, as recorded in her life, she repeatedly moved a pile of heavy and painful stones from one place to another for thirty days, at which time, the temptations she struggled with left her.
She was known for driving demons out of those possessed, as well as miraculous cures, saying, “May He who created you, heal you!” Euphrasia lived an austere life, relishing with holy ardor the love of the Lord. She persisted in self-imposed fasting nearly every day, spent much of her time in prayer, and yet was often times treated poorly due to her status as a foreigner in Egypt. Even in moments of mockery and humiliation, she remained humble and meek, oftentimes falling at the feet of her accusers, and begging that they pray for her. She died peacefully at age 40.
Blessed Agnellus and Saint Euphrasia were confronted with multiple obstacles and ridicule in their lives, but through their humility and meekness were able not only to overcome these obstacles, but witness to the love of Christ in the process. The exhibited that special quality, the quality that made those who encountered them wonder about what made them different from others? We know the answer is the grace of God, the identification with, and living of, the Christian life we are all called to. How often are our lives, our behaviors, witness of that call to others? How often, when we meet someone, do they wonder what makes us different, special, grace-filled, at peace?
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