NAME

The name of this organisation is Guild of St. Agnes, which is a fellowship of young girls rising in faith, purpose, and belief. 

PREAMBLE

We affirm the love of God and Jesus Christ. We hope to live it out in our daily lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.  

The Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of Khahlamba is the 8 of the guild. 

The leadership of the Mothers Union can nominate an outstanding Mothers Union members to mentor the leadership of the Guild. 

The guild, being under the guardianship of the Diocesan Mothers’ Union, shall be accountable to the Diocesan Mothers’ Union   Executive and the Council.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The guild is named after St Agnes, a Roman girl who was born in c.291 and suffered martyrdom for her faith on the 21st of January in c.304. She is one of the most famous of the early Roman martyrs and is regarded as the patron saint of young girls and the special protector of bodily purity. Her name means pure in Greek and lamb in Latin. 

Her symbol Is a lamb because in Latin, lamb is an agnus, which resembles her name.

St Agnes made a promise to God never to stain her purity. Her love for God was very great, and she hated sin more than anything! She stood firmly in her belief that Jesus Christ was the only Saviour. 

When various attempts to lure St. Agnes into abandoning her faith failed, she was accused of being a Christian and brought before a judge. The judge tried different methods to get her to renounce her principles. Legends tell of her being thrown into a brothel where her purity was miraculously preserved. 

Commemoration Day is January 21st, and her symbol is a lamb. 

VISION

To sow God’s love through faithfulness and in acts of kindness. 

MISSION

To proclaim the love of Jesus Christ in word and deed. 

MEMBERSHIP

Age and Groups  

Members of the organisation shall be sub-divided into the following: 

• Junior members years 6 years-12 years (Gcatshe)
• Senior members years 13 until marriage (Abadala)

Admission for membership is strictly for girls who do not have children. If a member falls pregnant, she will forfeit her membership

PREPARATION FOR MEMBERSHIP    

• Admission for membership is strictly for girls  who do not have children. If a member  falls pregnant,she will forfeit her  membership. 
• Preparing Gcashe  for migration to Abadala should be done when they turm 11 years , so that at 12, they get admitted as Abadala.  Non Gcashe members will undergo training as 7 probationer for a period of at least 3 months  before admission.
• Non-Gcashe member will undergo training as a probationer for a period of at least 3 months before admission.
• A training manual/ service book shall be utilised to prepare probationers for membership. 
• Oonontsapho shall be responsible for the training of probationers. 
• Diocesan coordinators shall confirm admission of members