SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ FEBRUARY 23RD

MEMORIAL OF SAINT POLYCARP, BISHOP AND MARTYR – FEAST DAY ~ FEBRUARY 23RD: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Polycarp of Smyrna, Bishop and Martyr (Patron Saint of Earache sufferers and against dysentery). Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Polycarp of  this feast day, we humbly pray for the sick, we particularly pray for the speedy recovery and Divine healing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, all those suffering from hearing disorders, cancers and those who are terminally ill.

“Keep looking forward in prayer, and persevering in fasting; beseeching in supplications the all-seeing God to lead us away from temptation.”

St. Polycarp, the early Church martyr who was miraculously preserved from burning at the stake…pray for us🙏

SAINT POLYCARP OF SMYRNA, BISHOP AND MARTYR: St. Polycarp of Smyrna (c. 69-155 A.D.) became a Christian in his youth, about the year 80, a disciple of St. John the Evangelist. St. John ordained him Bishop of Smyrna (in modern day Turkey) probably before his own exile to Patmos in 96. From this position St. Polycarp became one of the most illustrious of the Apostolic Fathers. His closeness with the Apostles, and the long life that he lived, enabled him to protect the Church against heresy. Polycarp governed that See for seventy years, and among his disciples were St. Irenaeus and the writer Papias. The former has recorded that his master knew St. John and others who had seen Jesus.

From Eusebius, St. Irenaeus, and St. Jerome we learn that about the year 155 St. Polycarp went to Rome to consult Pope Anicetus regarding the date of the Easter celebration, as there was a difference between the East and the West. It was agreed that both might follow their own custom. In the fourth general persecution, under the Emperor Lucius Versus and Marcus Aurelius, the Saint was apprehended and brought before the proconsul. Refusing to deny Christ, he was condemned to be burned at the stake in the amphitheater of Smyrna and was then taken to a public arena to be killed. He gave an outstanding testimony, declaring that he had served Christ for 86 years.

The account of his martyrdom is well-preserved and is one of the earliest in the Church. Knowing the government was seeking his life, he received a vision while praying that he would be burned alive.The authors of the Act tell that they were witnesses of his execution who saw the flames surround his body without burning it, but formed an arch over his head and that Polycarp began to glow and emit a sweet aroma. This amazed the crowds, and his executioners were then ordered to stab him to death, thereupon, he was pierced with a sword; such a great amount of blood issued from the wound that it extinguished the fire. The death of the Saint occurred about the year 155 on February 23rd. His body was burned, but his bones are preserved in the Church of San Ambrogio in Rome. St. Polycarp has been venerated as a Saint since his death in 155. He’s the Patron Saint of Against ear ache, dysentery.

QUOTE: “For eighty-six years I have served Him and He has never wronged me. How can I renounce the King who has saved me?”~ St. Polycarp

PRAYER: God of all creation, You led St. Polycarp into the company of the Martyrs. Through his intercession we ask that, as we share in Christ’s cup of suffering, we may one day rise to eternal life. Amen🙏