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Saint Agnes of Prague (sometimes called Agnes of Bohemia) was a foundress of the Franciscan Poor Clare nuns. She was born in the year 1211 into a royal family, the daughter of King Ottorkar of Bohemia and first cousin to St. Elizabeth of Hungary. Because of her birth, she was subject to attempts for arranged marriages. Agnes was not interested in being a pawn among powerful political entities and chose a life or prayer and service. Her brother King Wenceslaus I donated land for a Hospital of St. Francis, which opened in 1222-1223. Saint Agnes corresponded with St. Clare of Assisi for two decades, which led to the founding of the first Poor Clares north of the Alps and became a member of the Poor Clares in 1236. A Franciscan friary was also established. Saint Agnes died in 1282. She was known by her contemporaries for her visions and healing of the sick. She was beatified in 1874 and canonized by St. John Paul II in 1989 for her life of faith, hope, and charity. She was honored in the Czech Republic as the “Saint for the Overthrow of Communism” during 2011. Note that the stamp at the top of the article, issued in 1982 is titled "Blessed Agnes of Prague", since it predates her canonization in 1989. Article Links: • Joseph Trent, Vatican Notes, Volume 20, Number 6, pp. 1-2, 1982, Blessed Agnes of Prague | ||||||
