ST APOLLONIA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR - 9 FEBRUARY

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN FEBRUARY

Saints celebrated on the 9th of February

ST APOLLONIA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR

At Alexandria, in 249, the mob rose in savage fury against the Christians. St Apollonia, a virgin, was the most famous among the martyrs. As part of the torture, her teeth were beaten out. She was led outside the city, where a huge fire was kindled, and she was told she must deny Christ, or else be burned alive. She was silent for a while, and then, moved by a special inspiration of the Holy Ghost, she leaped into the fire and died in its flames. [She is the patron saint against toothache and tooth-maladies]. 

REFLECTION: 

Many saints, who were not martyrs, have longed to shed their blood for Christ. We, too, may pray for some portion of their spirit; and the least suffering for the faith, borne with humility and courage, is the proof that Christ has heard our prayer. 

(From Fr Butler's Lives of the Saints)

PRAYER:

O God, who among the many miracles of your power have bestowed the victory of martyrdom even upon the weaker sex, graciously grant that we, who commemorate the anniversary of the death of blessed Apollonia, your Virgin and Martyr, may come to you by the path of her example. Through our Lord...