Christian Men and Women

Saint Constance

Saint Constance was the daughter of a very famous Roman Emperor called Constantine. She was very sad because she was covered in spots and did not want to go out as people would often stare at her. Many doctors and health experts took money off her father but were unable to cure her of the awful spots.

A friend of Constance's called Martina came to visit her and saw how upset her friend was. She suggested that they both travel to Rome and visit the place where Christian Martyrs were buried as Martina had heard of people being cured of many illnesses. Martina and Constance set off on the long journey to Rome and decided to visit the tomb of Agnes.

When the friends arrived in Rome there were huge crowds there and Constance became very nervous and covered her face with a scarf. The girls were also nervous because they were not Christians and were unsure as to what to do when they reached the tomb of Saint Agnes. A lady in the queue heard the girls and explained to them that they must ask Saint Agnes for help. When they reached the front of the queue both girls knelt in front of the tomb. Constance became nervous but her friend Martina asked Saint Agnes for her help.

Both girls rushed off to go home. Martina asked Constance to remove her scarf and show her, her face. Constance reluctantly did so and both girls were amazed to see that the spots had disappeared. Constance rushed back to Saint Agnes's tomb in order to thank her. From that moment she decided to convert to Christianity. Later on Constance moved to live near Saint Agnes's tomb and her father also became a Christian.

The virtues that Constance displayed throughout her life were Courage (Fortitude) and Faith.