Saint Agnes of Bohemia

Life story

Agnes was born on 20 January 1211 in Prague, daughter of King Ottokar I of Bohemia and Constance of Hungary. From the age of three she was raised by Hedwig of Andechs, then educated by Cistercian nuns at Trzebnica and by Premonstratensian canonesses in Prague.

At eight she was betrothed to Henry, son of Emperor Frederick II; the contract was cancelled after six years. A later plan to marry her to Henry III of England was vetoed by the emperor. She learned of Clare of Assisi through the Franciscan friars her brother invited to Bohemia; the two corresponded for over twenty years but never met.

She founded the Hospital of St Francis around 1232 to 1233. Around 1234 she joined the Poor Clares, and the next year became abbess of the Prague community, which one source calls the first Poor Clare community north of the Alps; another source dates her entry to 1236, so the chronology is uncertain. She handed the hospital to a lay nursing group, later the Knights of the Cross with the Red Star, though the sources are inconsistent about the exact timing.

She died on 2 March 1282 in Prague (the Catholic Encyclopedia prefers 1281, and one source gives 6 March). Pope Pius IX beatified her in 1874, and Pope John Paul II canonized her on 12 November 1989.

Works and witness

• Refused royal marriages
• Founded the Hospital of St Francis around 1232 to 1233
• Joined the Poor Clares in Prague and served as abbess
• Corresponded with Clare of Assisi for over twenty years
• Canonized on 12 November 1989

Saints from the same country

Saint Wenceslaus, Saint John Neumann, Saint Adalbert of Prague, Saint John of Nepomuk

References

• Catholic Encyclopedia, "St. Agnes of Bohemia" (newadvent.org/cathen/01213b.htm)
• Franciscan Media, "Saint Agnes of Bohemia" (franciscanmedia.org)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.