Agnes of Bohemia (1211–1282) was a princess, daughter of King Ottokar I, who refused marriage offers from kings and an emperor in order to give her life entirely to God. She founded a hospital and a monastery of Poor Clares in Prague, entered the monastery herself, and spent decades there serving the poor and the sick. She was a dear friend of Saint Clare of Assisi, who wrote her letters of encouragement, and she was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1989.
Agnes had every comfort and honor the world could offer, and she quietly set it all aside for a hidden life of prayer and care for the suffering. She shows us that true greatness is measured not by rank or possessions but by love, and that a life given away in service is never wasted.
Saint Agnes of Bohemia, who traded a crown for a life of humble love, pray for us and for all we hold in our hearts, that we may seek what lasts forever. Amen.