Embracing Littleness with St. Agnes: A Novena for Strength and Courage

Hi there! I’m Allie Moroney, and as the Director of Media for Tabella, I have the privilege of creating and curating content for the media section of the app. But beyond the titles and responsibilities, I’m also a newlywed, navigating the joys and challenges of married life, and constantly seeking ways to grow in my relationship with Christ through His Church.

In preparing for St. Agnes’ feast day, I felt drawn to share a personal story that this remarkable young saint inspired in my life—a story that taught me the true strength that lies in embracing our own “littleness” before God. St. Agnes’ example, especially as one of the early Church’s brave young martyrs, reminds us that courage is found not in our own strength but in the simplicity and humility of a heart surrendered to God.

How St. Agnes’ Story Touched My Heart and My Marriage

When I think of St. Agnes, I’m always reminded of her deep faith and her profound humility. I was married just over a year ago, in December 2023, and if you’ve been through it, you know marriage is a journey full of adjustments. But what surprised me most in those early days was how small I felt. Little things that had never bothered me before—specifically about myself and my needs—suddenly seemed like burdens I didn’t want to impose on my husband. I started to feel vulnerable and pulled back, feeling the need to “shield” him from all my imperfections.

During this time, we were blessed to go on a trip to Rome, and it was there that St. Agnes entered my life in a powerful way. My husband, knowing my love for this young saint, took me to two incredible places in Rome dedicated to her. We rode a Vespa through the Eternal City, stopping first at the Basilica of St. Agnes Outside the Walls. Then, we visited the Church of St. Agnes in Agony in Piazza Navona, built on the very spot where she was martyred, where her relics are now kept.

In front of St. Agnes’ relics, I was struck by the reality of her story in a way I never had been before. Agnes was only twelve years old when she gave her life for Christ. Her small skull in the glass case before me brought to life this child-saint—and yet, in her littleness, her faith stood larger than life.

At that moment, feeling insecure in my own “littleness” within my marriage, I was comforted and challenged by Agnes’ example. I realized that feeling small isn’t something to fear and hide from. It’s an invitation from God—an opportunity to trust, to be loved, and to be vulnerable in a way that allows others to love and serve us too.

A Lesson for All of Us in Embracing Vulnerability

Over the last year, I’ve learned a lot from St. Agnes’ example. I’m no expert on marriage (yet!), but I can share one beautiful truth: in embracing my own vulnerabilities and entrusting them to God, I’ve opened the door for my husband to live out his own vocation in a deeper way. As I’ve learned to accept the love that comes in moments of weakness, I’ve found my own marriage growing richer and stronger. My husband, in turn, has flourished in his role, reflecting the sacrificial love of Christ.

Marriage is, in many ways, a mirror of Christ’s love for His Church, and Agnes’ story is a powerful reminder that being “small” allows God’s love to work in big ways. It’s not about hiding weaknesses but offering them up to God, trusting that He will use even our littlest efforts to create something beautiful.

Join Us in the Novena for St. Agnes’ Feast Day on January 21st

As we prepare for St. Agnes’ feast day on January 21st, I invite you to join us in prayer. Take a moment to reflect on the areas in your life where you may feel small, inadequate, or unseen. These are the places where God longs to work within you, as He did with St. Agnes.

Through this novena, we ask for St. Agnes’ intercession to help us embrace our own littleness with the courage she had. May she lead us to trust in God’s plan, especially in moments when we feel unworthy or afraid. Let’s allow her life to inspire us to live our faith with open hearts and to let God’s love flow through even our smallest acts.

Join us as we begin in prayer, trusting in the intercession of St. Agnes, the patron of purity, courage, and unwavering faith. Together, let’s celebrate her feast day in a way that honors her legacy and invites her courage into our own lives.