Mass today was at St. Luke's since I spent the weekend in the Poconos. The Mass was being filmed so if you watch the Sunday Mass in the Diocese of Scranton (PA) you may have seen me receiving communion. After unpacking and sitting down to unwind after the long drive home, I turned on the television and caught part of the Mass from St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre. The red on Bishop Murphy and concelebrants reminded me they are celebrating the Mass for the feast of St. Agnes today in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Diocese.

"Bishop Murphy has encouraged all parishes to celebrate the Feast of St. Agnes at their own parish Sunday Masses on January 21. Normally, the feast of a saint that falls on a Sunday is not observed so that the liturgy can focus on the regular Sunday lectionary readings."

St. Agnes was an early martyr of the Catholic Church and her name is mentioned in the Roman Canon. I love hearing the names of the early saints and martyrs when this prayer is used. St. Agnes of Rome was only around 12 or 13 when she was killed for refusing to give up her virginity.