Catholic - Universal Church ST. APPOLONIA - 09FEB (3rd century - c.249) PATRON: Dentists, tooth disease, toothache

The Martyrology reads: "At Alexandria the holy virgin Apollonia – under the Emperor Decius (249-251) her teeth were beaten out; then the executionersbuilt and lit a funeral pyre, and threatened to burn her alive unless she would repeat their blasphemies. After some reflectionshe suddenly tore herself loose from her tormentors and threw herself into the flames. The fire of the Holy Spirit that glowed within her was more intense than the burning pyre. Her executioners were astounded to see a weak woman willingly embracing deathwith such determination before they were ready to carry out their threats." The saint was already well on in years. An account of St. Apollonia'smartyrdom was written by BishopDionysius of Alexandria (died 265), a contemporary. She is honored as the patroness against toothache. Apollonia, it might seem, committed suicide. Her act was used by the ancients as proof thatit is permitted to escape dishonor or persecution through voluntary death. But the most authoritative moralists, including Saint Augustine, declare that even in such cases suicide is not permitted, and seek to justify Apollonia's heroic act by assuming that she acted according to a special mandate from God; without such a divine injunction no one is allowed to follow her example. The saints arenot to be imitated on every point. — Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch SOURCE: http:// www.catholiccult ure.org/ culture/ liturgicalyear/ calendar/ day.cfm?date=201 2-02-09 — with Yuka Medrano Nagano , Kristine Ladica Medrano , Katrina Ladica Medrano , Art Lloyd Lacap , Mafidon Comfort , Thea Therese Montes , Pidiong Mendoza Banaga , Yuval Adera , Maria Gracia Villar , Lance Justine Caspillo , Ghellie Go Caspillo , Leo Caspillo , Lou DiamondCaspillo , Vyktor Dan Chabor , Zel Abundio , Edsel Magdaong Collantes , 김원휴 , Robert Limpiado Badajos Ventura Jr. , Boriez Sinaga , Fridey Situmoerang , Jerry Skeptron , Rosario Lorejo , Devina Gumemba , Debbie Claire Ferenal Itao-Terrazola , Sarah Mendoza Samson , Budzee Appo , Rita Komilus , Michelle Padilla Quindo Fabila , Efren Enolva , Mario Tabaque , Hilario Llamas , Fe Mutya and Maria Goretti Saint of the Day