Agnes of Monte Pulciano (1274–1317)
Agnes of Monte Pulciano (1274–1317)
Italian abbess thought to have gifts of prophecy and healing. Name variations: Agnese, Agnes of Montepulciano, Agnes of Procena. Born around 1274 in Monte Pulciano, Italy; died in 1317 at the convent of Monte Pulciano.
Saint Agnes of Monte Pulciano entered a Franciscan convent at the age of nine. The order she joined (known as the Sackins) was dedicated to poverty; its members wore only coarse sackcloth. Well-respected for her devotion to the poor and sick, Agnes had a reputation for piousness that earned her the position of abbess at the convent of Procena, probably around age 20. She remained there for some years but later answered a call to establish her own religious foundation. Returning to Monte Pulciano, Agnes started a Dominican double monastery, again acting as abbess. Her renown spread throughout Italy, and she was soon known for having the gifts of prophecy and healing. After the venerable abbess died about age 43, her many supporters campaigned successfully for her canonization. Her feast day is April 20.