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They suffered in persecution of
Diocletian, under Dacian, governor of
Spain, the ferocious persecutor who put St.Vincent to
death at Valencia. He threatened death to all
Christians who would not worship the heather gods, and
the Christians of Agen fled to the hills. Bishop
Caprasius went with them to protect and minister to
his flock.
So the glory of leading the forlorn
hope of Agen fell on Faith, still but a child; for God
chooses the weak of this world to confound the things
that are mighty.
Left in Agen whilst the other
Christians had taken refuge among the rocks, she was
summoned before Dacian, and signing herself with the
cross she prayed "Jesus Christ, my Lords, Thou never
forsakest those who call upon Thee. Help thy servant,
and send my lips words worthy of the questions I have
to answer before the tyrant". She listened fearlessly
to Dacian’s threats of death, and looking to heaven
she said in a clear strong voice, "In the name of
Jesus Christ my Lord, not only will I not sacrifice to
your gods but I am ready to suffer all kinds of
torments". So she was stretched, like Vincent, on the
fiery bed of torture.
The people were touched with pity
to see a young and noble maiden tortured and suffering
courageously, and that day an unknown multitude, who
confessed the faith of Jesus Christ, received the palm
of martyrdom.
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