Discover Saint Agnes as Never Before in Fabiola

In Fabiola, Saint Agnes’ story comes to life like never before, beautifully reimagined through Cardinal Wiseman’s novel. In this captivating tale, Agnes, a revered early Church martyr, is portrayed as the young Christian cousin of the main character, Fabiola.

Despite being several years younger, Agnes serves as a role model for Fabiola, who deeply admires her saintly cousin's unwavering faith and courage.

At Industrious Family Films, our dream is to bring FABIOLA to life in a deeply moving film that honors these powerful stories of faith and sacrifice. For the FABIOLA proof of concept scene, we chose a pivotal scene—the climactic moment that reveals the essence of Saint Agnes’ bravery and Fabiola’s transformative journey.

The Climax: Agnes’ Final Hours Before Martyrdom

As the scene opens, Saint Agnes—just hours away from her beheading—stands in a dark cell alongside her cousin Fabiola and her accuser, Fulvius. Fulvius, driven by desperation, has turned Agnes in for her inheritance, and now Agnes faces execution after refusing his marriage proposal in honor of her vow of virginity.

In this moment of impending death, Agnes remains calm and resolute. She urges Fabiola to open her heart to the saving doctrines of Christianity, planting a seed of faith in her cousin’s mind. Fabiola, surrounded by the popular prejudice against Christians, begins to see Agnes' virtues in a new light, realizing for the first time that these virtues stem from Agnes’ deep Christian faith.

Saint Agnes’ Bravery Will Inspire You

The above scene will be featured in our pilot, capturing the heart of Saint Agnes’ final hours. Agnes, with childlike bravery in the face of death, tells Fabiola how she would make a wonderful Christian.

After praising Fabiola’s natural virtues, Agnes shares the glory that divine grace would add to these gifts. Fabiola, moved by her cousin’s words, promises to apply herself to the Christian faith. With peace in her heart, Agnes joyfully prepares to meet her Bridegroom, knowing she has guided Fabiola toward the True Fold.

In her final moments, Agnes shares her eager anticipation for martyrdom with these moving words:

Behold, what I have long coveted, I now see; what I have hoped for, I hold safe; to Him alone I feel already associated in Heaven, whom here on earth I have loved with all devotedness.

Saint Agnes’ unwavering faith and childlike bravery will leave a lasting impression, inspiring audiences with her courage and devotion.

Pre-Production: Casting And Costuming Saint Agnes

We are thrilled to announce that Kate Witkemper from Tennessee will portray Saint Agnes in the Fabiola pilot. Kate, who is 12 years old—the same age as Saint Agnes at the time of her martyrdom—will bring this beloved saint to life. We cannot wait to see how she embodies this important role!

As described by Cardinal Wiseman, Saint Agnes is "dressed in pure and spotless white, without a single ornament about her person... She looked radiant and almost dazzling." We have carefully selected a few white gowns that reflect Agnes' purity, which will be accented with delicate touches of gold and blue to highlight her saintly innocence.

A Special Pilgrimage to the Basilica of Saint Agnes

A dear friend of ours recently made a pilgrimage to the Basilica of Saint Agnes Outside the Walls in Rome and prayed for the success of the Fabiola pilot project. She kindly sent us beautiful photos of her visit, which we are excited to share with you.

The basilica was built in honor of Saint Agnes by Constantine’s daughter, Constantia, who was miraculously healed after praying to the martyr. Constantia stayed overnight in the catacombs where Saint Agnes appeared to her in a dream, urging her to embrace Christianity. In gratitude for her healing, Constantia built this magnificent basilica over Saint Agnes' burial site.

The Basilica’s Role in the Film

Toward the end of FABIOLA, we depict the construction of this basilica by the surviving Christians, who dedicate their skills to building shrines in honor of the martyrs. It’s a powerful moment in the film, symbolizing both the suffering and triumph of the early Christian community.

If you believe this story needs to be told, we invite you to help bring Fabiola to life. Every donation, big or small, brings us closer to sharing this incredible story of faith with the world. After making your gift, please consider sharing this page with friends, especially those with a special devotion to Saint Agnes.

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