Saintly Children

Agnes Charvet of France

Agnes was born in the city of Armentieres, in northern France on September 14, 1914. World War I was already raging and on August 3, 1914, her father left home to go and fight in the battlefield.

As the war raged on, the thunder of canons could be heard around the house. It was a dangerous time for little Agnes and her mother and often they would hide in the cellar in order to avoid being killed by the bombs. Before long there was so much bombing that Madame Charvet and Agnes were forced to move, so they found a place outside of Paris.

A photograph of little Agnes was sent to her father on the battlefield, and he was happy to hear that his wife had the company of their little girl. On June 2, 1915, he wrote home, "I am delighted to hear that Agnes is growing like a flower, and that she resembles her father, with her tan coloured skin. In future let our little darling be all your joy. Little children, you know, are worthy of all love."

Madame Charvet was able to see her husband once more, but only for a short time. Then only eight days later, Mr. Charvet was killed on the battlefield and died a hero for his country. He died as he had lived, a good Catholic, leaving behind his heartbroken wife and little Agnes.

Madame Charvet was not going to let Agnes forget that her father was in Heaven! She wrote these words at the bottom of his picture, "Gaze up to Heaven often and seek your dear father at Jesus' side," and when Agnes learned to speak, her mother made her say these words over and over again. Every evening Agnes would reach for her father's picture and kiss it lovingly and later on she added this little prayer when she kissed the picture, "Dear Baby Jesus, bless Mama and Papa and watch over Agnes."

In October 1915, Agnes and her mother went to Amiens to live with the girl's grandfather. Not long after, one of Agnes' uncles died in battle and his two orphaned children, Michael and Genevieve also moved in with the grandfather. Agnes was happy now that she had her little cousins with her, but her Mamma always held the first place in her heart.

When Agnes was four years old, she started learning her A B C's. She also took piano lessons and her mother started teaching her Catechism lessons. Agnes was a bright pupil and everything interested her. And before long before the little girl could sing and speak pieces nicely, so she was allowed to take part in a little theatre play.

Agnes was very faithful in doing her daily duties. Gladly she did penance and made little sacrifices of self-denial. Like all children, Agnes had many faults and she had to fight against her nature to correct them. She talked too much and had a terrible temper; when someone got the best of her, she would stick out her tongue at them. Around Christmas time, together with the candy and toys, Agnes received a long, red felt, tongue, so that when she made faces, the red tongue could be hung on her! The little girl hung her head, for she was very ashamed to receive such a present. Soon afterward she stopped sticking out her tongue, and it was no longer necessary to hang the red tongue on her!

In 1918, when World War I came to an end, Agnes went back home to Armentieres with her mother and grandmother. But there was no house left; it was now nothing but a pile of broken walls and beams, so the three of them went to live in Loos, France.

Agnes loved her mother dearly. Sometimes her mother had to be away from home for a few weeks, so during these times, her Grandma took care of her. Agnes missed her mother when she was gone and used to write letters to her; letters filled with lots of love and good wishes!

The girl grew in virtue and holiness and prepared well for her First Holy Communion. She often went to the Good Shepherd Convent in order to do sewing for poor children, and she didn't even like to sew! During such times she would tell the Sisters about her Papa who had died in the war; her Papa whom she loved dearly.

Agnes loved to go to First Communion classes and learn more about Jesus. One day she told a Sister, "You know Sister, now I may soon go to Holy Communion, and I am already very happy about it."

"Why are you happy about it?" asked the Sister.

"Because my dear Papa is in Heaven," Agnes replied, "and when I have dear Jesus in my heart, I will also be closer to Papa!"

As a special preparation for her First Holy Communion, Agnes went on a three day retreat, given to the children in the parish church. The girl took notes during these times and she writes, "By means of this retreat, we should learn to be better and to make little sacrifices, and we should practice virtues over and over during the day. My resolution is that from now on, I will try very hard to give joy to Jesus and Mary and to my dear Mamma. And I will try to sit up straight because Mama wishes that I sit straight, so that I grow straight!"

Finally the great day came and Agnes received her First Communion on April 26, 1921, in the chapel of the Sisters of Mercy at Lille, France. When she received Our Lord, she prayed for her dear father and spoke lovingly to Jesus.

From that day on, Agnes went to Holy Communion two or three times a week. On Communion days, she would wake up her sleeping mother with a kiss and a greeting, "Mamma please get up! It is time now or we will be late!" Agnes also tried very hard to make her Nine First Fridays, and when she missed the eighth Friday because she was sick, she did not give up but started all over again, to make her Nine First Fridays.

In 1923, Agnes spent some time with her relatives in Alsace, France. One day she stopped playing with her cousins and told her aunt that the nicest thing on earth was when she received the Baby Jesus in Holy Communion!

In October, 1924, Agnes joined the Sodality of Little Crusaders. She was serious about doing her duties as a Crusader and kept a good record of her Holy Communions, Rosaries and Sacrifices. But it wasn't all easy. There were three things that she found very hard to do, (1) keeping silent during study time (2) being obedient (3) sitting straight so as not to get a crooked back! Agnes struggled hard to do these things and it was by going often to Holy Communion and praying and trying that she was able to succeed more and more.

At home Agnes was like a little servant girl, always helping her Mamma and doing all kinds of errands for her. She was always very polite to the servants and was always eager to help out in the kitchen. She also found pleasure in dusting and sweeping.

Agnes was a little vain and often paid much attention to her appearance. Sometimes she would cry if she got a spot on her apron or she would change her socks if they got a bit dirty. She often tried to arrange her hair in a different style but when her mother was not pleased, she would arrange her hair in a simple fashion. Gradually Agnes overcame her vain ideas and became even more pleasing to God.

On December 26, 1926, Agnes woke up feeling very sick; she cried out, "Mamma I am not feeling well at all. I am going to die! The Christ Child is going to come to get me, but not today." Agnes had a problem with her heart and she knew that she was going to die, so she asked her mother to call the priest first, and then the doctor.

After her confession to the priest, Agnes said, "You know, Father, the Christ Child is coming to get me." Then later that day the girl experienced more pains in her chest and she was rushed to the hospital for an operation. On January 3, 1927, Agnes had more pains and had to have another operation.

On January 5^th, Agnes asked to receive Holy Communion. After she made a devout thanksgiving, the terrible pains began once more. Then she said over and over again the prayer, "Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary that never was it known, that anyone who fled to thy protection was left unaided .…."

Agnes wanted to go to Heaven, but she wanted to stay on earth in order that her mother would not be all alone. In the end however, she told her mother, "I would like to go to Heaven. Little Jesus is not going to cure me anyway!" She was given a third operation but it did not help. When she returned to her room, she called her mother. She slept about two hours and when she awoke she asked her mother to hold her hand. Then Agnes prayed, "O my Jesus I love Thee with my whole heart!" Soon after this little Agnes died and went to be with Jesus and Mary in Heaven; it was January 9^,1927.

Agnes is a wonderful example for all Crusaders to follow. Ask her to help you be a good Catholic and a good Crusader. And ask her to help you love the Child Jesus in Holy Communion, as she did. You can be sure she will help you as she has helped so many others.

The End

Home | Contents

Accueil