In Fabiola, We Are Told Saint Agnes’ Story
As Never Before
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Saint Agnes comes to life in a wonderful way through Cardinal Wiseman’s novel, Fabiola. Cardinal Wiseman places this famous early Church martyr into his story as the young, Christian cousin of the main character, Fabiola.
Although several years older, Fabiola looks up to Agnes as her role model, deeply admiring her saintly cousin.
Industrious Family Films has dreams of bringing Fabiola to life in a moving film.
For the Fabiola pilot we have decided to script a single scene which carries the plot without spoiling the story. In short, we have chosen the climax.
As the scene opens, Saint Agnes who will be beheaded in a few hours, her doting cousin Fabiola, and Agnes’ accuser, the foreigner Fulvius, whose desperate situation has brought him as low as to turn Agnes in for her inheritance, all stand in a dark cell.
Agnes is turned over to the tribune after refusing Fulvius' suit in honor of her vow of virginity. The day before her martyrdom, Agnes begs Fabiola to apply herself to the saving doctrines of Christianity.
A door is thus opened to Fabiola's mind, who admires Agnes' virtues. With all the popular prejudice against the Christians of the time surrounding her, Fabiola never assumed that Agnes' virtues are credited to her Christianity.
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"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' Child-Like Bravery In The Face Of Death Will Inspire You!
The above scene is the one which we will present in our pilot. Agnes has waited for the final hours before her death to tell Fabiola what a wonderful Christian she would make.
After first appraising Fabiola's natural virtues, Agnes imparts to her affectionate cousin the glory that grace will add to these natural gifts.
Fabiola promises to apply herself to the Faith, after which Agnes happily goes to meet her Bridegroom, satisfied that she has brought Fabiola to the True Fold.
In the cell, Agnes shares with Fabiola her eager desire for martyrdom:
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.
One of my favorite resources for reading about the lives of the saints shares the words of St. Ambrose when he speaks with great admiration of Saint Agnes, who was martyred at the tender age of 12.
In his work, On Virgins, he wrote:
“This is a new kind of martyrdom! One not yet of fit age for punishment, but already ripe for victory. One unready for combat, but able to win the crown. One who has not yet reached the age of judgment but who has mastered virtue."
It is this character that Fabiola admires as a role model. Her childlike bravery in the face of death is truly inspiring!
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And Now One Of My Favorite Parts Of Film, Pre-Production: Casting And Costuming The Innocent Saint Agnes For The Fabiola Pilot
Kate Witkemper of Tennessee will have the honor of playing St. Agnes in the FABIOLA Pilot. Kate will be 12 this year, which is ironically the same age as St. Agnes is in the story. Can't wait to see how she performs this important role!
Cardinal Wiseman describes Agnes as follows:
"Dressed in pure and spotless white, without a single ornament about her person. In her countenance might be seen united the simplicity of childhood with the intelligence of a maturer age...She had thrown over the dark garments of her mourning a white and spotless bridal robe. She looked radiant and almost dazzling."
Naturally, we found a few nice white gowns that highlight this saint's purity to choose from, which we would like to accent with minimal golds and blues.
If you agree this story needs told, please donate to the Fabiola drive today. Every bit counts. After making your gift please consider sharing this web page with anyone else you can think of, especially any with a special devotion to Saint Agnes.
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St. Agnes Basilica Outside The Walls Of Rome Plays A Roll In The Film FABIOLA
A dear pilgrimage friend of mine took a trip to Rome and made a special pilgrimage to the basilica of Agnes Outside The Walls to pray for the success of the FABIOLA Pilot project. She has sent over a few pictures for me to share with you.
Shortly after Constantine took Rome, his heathen daughter began to suffer from a skin disease. She resolved to beg the Christian martyr, St. Agnes, for a cure. Constantia stayed the whole night in the catacomb and the virgin saint appeared to her in a dream. and exhorted her to become a Christian. When Constantia rose the next morning, she was completely healed.
In thanksgiving, she set about to build a basilica in honor of the saint over the site. The church contains the oldest Byzantine mosaic in Rome. Featured above the high alter is St. Agnes dressed as a Byzantine empress.
Toward the end of the film FABIOLA, the basilica is being constructed. The surviving Christians dedicate their talent to erecting shrines to the martyrs. They work just as willingly as they did when they constructed the Circus Maximus or Diocletian's Therme but now they work with a joy. Many familiar faces are seen: he who was once lost in the catacombs is now the chief guide, he who once chiseled names in headstones now etches more happy epitaphs, and finally, one who has made a long pilgrimage now approaches his destination - St. Agnes Outside The Walls.
Here is another picture taken by our friend while in Rome. This is the tomb of St. Agnes. While paying her respects before the site, St. Emerentiana was stoned to death by a group of pagans. She is laid alongside her foster-sister St. Agnes in the same place. If you live near Kansas, some of St. Emerentiana's relics are contained in the High Altar at The Immaculata.
Related Articles:
St. Agnes' Connection With One Of The World's Smallest Armies - The Vatican's Swiss Guard
FABIOLA Pilot Round 3 In Currently Open!
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