First of all, I would like to thank the Lord and St. Agnes for bringing the story so close to us through the ministry of Harpa Dei. Perhaps some of us can repeat for ourselves the words that are put into the mouth of St. Ambrose at the end: “This girl has captivated me, she has conquered my heart.”
So be it! Read More
Scene 15:
AMBROSE: Brethren, remember ye what Abraham said in the parable of the rich man: “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead”. (Luke 16:31). Well, that is exactly what happened when Claudius had been raised from death. That generation, which had not believed the eloquent testimony of so many martyrs, repented not of their deeds at the sight of that mighty sign, nor did they give glory to the God of heaven (Rev 16:9, 11). Read More
Scene 12:
THE PREFECT: I open the last session of this trial for the public and solemn pronouncement of the sentence on the accused.
Arise, accused, and hear the sentence which the Supreme Court of Rome will now pronounce upon you!
In the name of the Godly Emperor, the Holy City of Rome and the Roman people. Accused of high treason and blasphemy is the young virgin Agnes, aged 12, daughter of Honorius Placidus and his wife Laurentia. Read More
Scene 7:
CLAUDIUS: I have come to bring public charges against the virgin Agnes, daughter of the patrician Honorius Placidus and his wife Laurentia. I bring charges against this Agnes for blasphemy and high treason. As there is danger of escape, I request immediate arrest.
AMBROSE: This is how little Agnes, barely 12 years old, was chained and locked up in a dungeon… Read More
Part I
Bride of Christ
SCENE 1:
A woman sees a man who looks a little lost…
FAITHFUL: Are you new here in Milan?
PAULINUS: Yes, I’ve just come from a long journey and am returning to Rome, but I had to stop here.
FAITHFUL: You look like a clergyman.
PAULINUS: I am.
FAITHFUL: Well, I suppose you don’t want to miss the sermon of our bishop Ambrose today. Hasten, for we are past the third hour. The celebration of the holy mysteries must have begun already! Listen, they are singing the Hallelujah right now!
PAULINUS: speaking to himself:
Ah, of course, the great Ambrose, bishop of Milan…
1 Cor 1:26-31
Consider, brothers, how you were called; not many of you are wise by human standards, not many influential, not many from noble families. No, God chose those who by human standards are fools to shame the wise; he chose those who by human standards are weak to shame the strong, those who by human standards are common and contemptible – indeed those who count for nothing – to reduce to nothing all those that do count for something, so that no human being might feel boastful before God. Read More
Mk 3, 1-6
Another time he went into the synagogue, and there was a man present whose hand was withered. And they were watching him to see if he would cure him on the Sabbath day, hoping for something to charge him with. He said to the man with the withered hand, ‘Get up and stand in the middle!’ Then he said to them, ‘Is it permitted on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to kill?’ Read More
Heb 6:10-20
God would not be so unjust as to forget all you have done, the love that you have for his name or the services you have done, and are still doing, for the holy people of God. Our desire is that every one of you should go on showing the same enthusiasm till the ultimate fulfilment of your hope, never growing careless, but taking as your model those who by their faith and perseverance are heirs of the promises. Read More
Mk 2:18-22
John’s disciples and the Pharisees were keeping a fast, when some people came to him and said to him, ‘Why is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’ Jesus replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants cannot fast while the bridegroom is still with them? Read More
1 Cor 6:13-20
Foods are for the stomach, and the stomach is for foods; and God will destroy them both. But the body is not for sexual immorality; it is for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body. God raised up the Lord and he will raise us up too by his power. Do you not realise that your bodies are members of Christ’s body; do you think one can take parts of Christ’s body and join them to the body of a prostitute? Out of the question! Read More
