Acquiring Peace and Zeal for Perfection [1]

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Acquiring Peace and Zeal for Perfection [1]

WE SHOULD enjoy much peace if we did not concern ourselves with what
others say and do, for these are no concern of ours. How can a man who
meddles in affairs not his own, who seeks strange distractions, and
who is little or seldom inwardly recollected, live long in peace?
Blessed are the simple of heart for they shall enjoy peace in
abundance.
--Thomas à Kempis, From the Imitation of Christ—Bk. 1 Chapter 11

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9 February – St Apollonia of Alexandria

(Died c 249)
Consecrated Virgin Martyr, Deaconess – who was one of a group of
virgin martyrs who suffered in Alexandria during a local uprising
against the Christians prior to the persecution of Decius. According
to church tradition, her torture included having all of her teeth
violently pulled out or shattered. For this reason, she is popularly
regarded as the patroness of dentistry and those suffering from
toothache or other dental problems. French court painter Jehan Fouquet
painted the scene of St Apollonia’s torture in The Martyrdom of St
Apollonia. Patronages – against tooth disease and toothache, of dental
technicians, dentists, 3 cities.

At Alexandria, in 249, the mob rose in savage fury against the
Christians. Metras, an old man, perished first. His eyes were pierced
with reeds and he was stoned to death. A woman named Quinta was the
next victim. She was led to a heathen temple and bidden worship. She
replied by cursing the false god again and again and she too was
stoned to death. After this the houses of the Christians were sacked
and plundered. They took the spoiling of their goods with all joy.

St Apollonia, a consecrated virgin and Deaconess, was the most famous
among the martyrs. Her teeth were beaten out, she was led outside the
city, 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 Spirit, she leapt into the fire and
died in its flames.

There were indeed many Christians who came, pale and trembling, to
offer the heathen sacrifices. But the judges themselves were struck
with horror at the multitudes who rushed to martyrdom. Women triumphed
over torture, till at last the judges were glad to execute them at
once and put an end to the ignominy of their own defeat.

https://anastpaul.com/2019/02/09/


Thought for the Day

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to
God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. …Hebrews
13:15

“Let us bear all things thankfully, be it poverty, be it disease, be
it anything else whatever, for God alone knows the things expedient
for us, “for we do not know how to pray as we ought.”
We, then, who do not know even how to ask for what is fitting unless
we have received of the Spirit, let us take care to offer up
thanksgiving for all things and let us bear all things nobly.
Are we in poverty? Let us give thanks. Are we in sickness? Let us give
thanks. Are we falsely accused? Let us give thanks. When we suffer
affliction, let us give thanks. This brings us near to God.”
--St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father & Doctor
(On the Epistle to the Hebrews, 33)


PRAYER – All-powerful, eternal God, splendour of true light and
never-ending day, let our striving for Your kingdom not fall short
through selfishness or fear, may the universe be alive with the Spirit
and our homes be the pledge of the world redeemed. May our eyes see
and our hearts have compassion, to all those who need us. May the
intercession of our Holy Mother, St Apollonia and all the saints, be a
strength and a comfort. Through Jesus, our compassionate and loving
Redeemer, with the Holy Spirit, one God with You forever, amen.

Saint Quote:
The Lord was Baptized, not to be cleansed Himself, but to cleanse the
waters, so that those waters, cleansed by the flesh of Christ which
knew no sin, might have the power of Baptism. --St. Ambrose of Milan

Bible Quote:
Wonder not at this: for the hour cometh wherein all that are in the
graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God. And they that have done
good things shall come forth unto the resurrection of life: but they
that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment. [John 5:28,29
] DRB


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0 Glorious Apollonia, patron saint of dentistry and refuge to all
those suffering from diseases of the teeth, I consecrate myself to
thee, beseeching thee to number me among thy clients. Assist me by
your intercession with God in my daily work and intercede with Him to
obtain for me a happy death. Pray that my heart like thine may be
inflamed with the love of Jesus and Mary, through Christ our Lord.
Amen. 0 My God, bring me safe through temptation and strengthen me as
thou didst our own patron Apollonia, through Christ our Lord. Amen.