St. Agnes Coloring Page
This St. Agnes coloring page shows the young saint with long hair and a wreath of flowers, holding a little lamb in her arms and a palm branch, in a garden outside Rome. The PDF is free to print. Agnes was a girl of about 12 who stayed faithful to Jesus.
The story of St. Agnes
About 1,700 years ago, in the great city of Rome, there lived a girl named Agnes. She was only twelve or thirteen years old, maybe about the age of an older brother or sister in your family.
Agnes loved Jesus more than anything. She had given her whole heart to him. But the emperor of Rome at that time was very hard on Christians. He wanted everyone to pray to the Roman gods, and he punished people who would not.
Agnes was young, but she was very brave. People wanted her to give up Jesus, and some even wanted her to marry a rich young man. Agnes said no. She belonged to Jesus. Because she would not turn away from him, she was put to death, around the year 304.
The great bishop St. Ambrose wrote about her not long afterward. He said she was too young even to be punished, yet strong enough to win a martyr's crown!
Christians buried St. Agnes beside a road outside Rome, and soon a church was built over her grave. It is still there today. Every year on her feast, January 21, two little lambs are blessed in Rome, and their wool is used to make a special band that archbishops wear.
What to color
- The little lamb: white and fluffy. Her name sounds like the Latin word for lamb, and the lamb reminds us of Jesus, the Lamb of God.
- The palm branch: green. It is the sign of a martyr, someone who gave their life for Jesus.
- Her flower wreath: any bright colors. A crown shows she won the prize of heaven.
- Her robe and mantle: white for a pure heart and red for her courage.
- The garden and arch: green grass, bright flowers and a sandy-colored Roman arch.
A prayer to pray together
The priest names Agnes at Mass, in the oldest Eucharistic prayer, together with other brave women saints: "Felicity, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia." Children can pray:
St. Agnes, pray for us, and help us to be brave and faithful to Jesus.
Ideas for families and classrooms
- Color this page for her feast on January 21.
- Make a fluffy lamb by gluing cotton balls onto the lamb in the picture.
- Read about her friends in heaven, other young martyrs like St. Lucy and St. Cecilia.
- Talk about it: what is one way you can stand up for what is right, even when it is hard?
- Pray for girls and young women everywhere, especially those who are in danger.
Read the full story: St. Agnes of Rome in the encyclopedia.
Frequently asked questions
What colors should I use for St. Agnes?
Many paintings dress her in white with a red mantle. Leave the lamb white and fluffy, make the palm branch green and fill her flower wreath with any colors you like.
Why does St. Agnes hold a lamb?
Her name sounds like agnus, the Latin word for lamb. The lamb also reminds us of Jesus, whom John the Baptist called the Lamb of God.
What happens to lambs on St. Agnes's feast day?
Every January 21, two lambs are blessed in Rome and brought to the pope. Their wool is later woven into the pallium, a white band worn by archbishops.
Is this coloring page free for schools?
Yes. Print as many copies as you need for your home, classroom or parish.