On February 23, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Polycarp of Smyrna. St. Polycarp does not have an official patronage, but he is a great saint to seek intercession from in many circumstances. You can ask St. Polycarp to pray for you if you are facing persecution for your Faith, since he endured persecution for his Faith and was ultimately martyred. Or you can ask him to pray for someone you know who is suffering persecution for their Faith. St. Polycarp is also a great saint to seek intercession from on behalf of Church leaders, since he was a holy bishop who did a lot to combat heresy and to lead the Church well.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
OPENING PRAYERGreat martyr, Saint Polycarp, make us steadfast witnesses to the truth in word and deed, just as you witnessed to the truth in your own life and death. Through your intercession, make our commitment to our religion of long duration, a life project, enduring until our life of faith concludes with a death of faith. As we devote ourselves to you in this period of nine days, hear the humble prayers we make before God and intercede for us in order that we become beneficiaries of the heavenly graces especially in this particular need(s) (state your intentions). Grant this, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
MEDITATION: EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS
(Polycarp wrote some epistles, among which are to the Philippians. We shall examine this epistle in the course of our meditation. The epistle resembles that of Saint Paul in style and content, a proof that he heard the preachings of the Apostles of Christ)
(CHAPTERS 11&12)
Chapter 11. Expression of grief on account of Valens
I am greatly grieved for Valens, who was once a presbyter among you because he so little understands the place that was given him [in the Church]. I exhort you, therefore, that you abstain from covetousness, and that you be chaste and truthful. Abstain from every form of evil. For if a man cannot govern himself in such matters, how shall he enjoin them on others? If a man does not keep himself from covetousness, he shall be defiled by idolatry and shall be judged as one of the heathen. But who of us are ignorant of the judgment of the Lord? Do we not know that the saints shall judge the world? as Paul teaches. But I have neither seen nor heard of any such thing among you, in the midst of whom the blessed Paul laboured, and who are commended in the beginning of his Epistle. For he boasts of you in all those Churches which alone then knew the Lord; but we [of Smyrna] had not yet known Him. I am deeply grieved, therefore, brethren, for him (Valens) and his wife; to whom may the Lord grant true repentance! And be then moderate in regard to this matter, and do not count such as enemies, but call them back as suffering and straying members, that you may save your whole body. For by so acting you shall edify yourselves.
Chapter 12. Exhortation to various graces
For I trust that you are well versed in the Sacred Scriptures and that nothing is hidden from you; but to me, this privilege is not yet granted. It is declared then in these Scriptures, Be angry, and sin not, and, Let not the sun go down upon your wrath. Happy is he who remembers this, which I believe to be the case with you. But may the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ Himself, who is the Son of God, and our everlasting High Priest, build you up in faith and truth, and in all meekness, gentleness, patience, longsuffering, forbearance, and purity; and may He bestow on you a lot and portion among His saints, and on us with you, and on all that are under heaven, who shall believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, and in His Father, who raised Him from the dead. Pray for all the saints. Pray also for kings, and potentates, and princes, and for those that persecute and hate you, and for the enemies of the cross, that your fruit may be manifest to all, and that you may be perfect in Him.
—SILENT REFLECTION—
CONCLUDING PRAYER – DAY 7
St. Polycarp, you did not seek out martyrdom but instead waited until it was clear that it was God’s will that you die for your Faith. When you were captured by your persecutors, you treated them with love out of love for God. You talked to your captors and fed them a meal, before preparing for your death. Then, you courageously offered up your life for the Faith. Pray for me, that I may grow in love for my enemies out of love for God. Pray that I may never allow trials or persecutions to deter me from serving God.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be…
Through the intercession of Saint Polycarp of Smyrna, may Almighty God bless you + the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Shalom!
Compiled by Fr. Chinaka Justin Mbaeri, OSJ
Paroquia Nossa Senhora da Immaculada Conceição, Paulo Ramos, Maranhão, Brazil
nozickcjoe@gmail.com / fadacjay@gmail.com
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PS: Have you prayed your Rosary today?
Saint Polycarp of Smyrna, thank you for interceding for me. Amen
Amen
May the almighty God hear our prayers through the intercession of st Polycarp amen
St. Polycarp, pray that all will go well with my grandson Oise Akpiruo who starts boarding School today.
May he overcome his physical challenge to fulfil his Mission.
Pray for our Country Nigeria in the throes of elections.
May almighty God answered our prayers through the ineterssions of st polycarp. Amen
Thanks you for your prayers answered. Amen.
Amen
Amen
St Polycarp of Smyrna, Pray for us Amen
Amen
St. Polycarp intercede for our country Nigeria for a peaceful and credible election.
Through the intercession of st. Polycarp, I Pray that we may never allow trials or persecutions to deter us from serving God in spirit and in truth, we pray o Lord . AMEN
Thank You JESUS……….
St polycarp of smyrna pray for us
All to Jesus, through Mary our Mother
Saint Polycarp of Smyrna Pray for us Amen
St Polycarp of Smyrna pray for us.
Amen
Oh God grant us a merciful judgment and grant us your salvation Amen
Thank you Jesus Christ son of the LIVING GOD for answering our prayers and for helping us out at our lowest moments. Amen
Amen
Saint Polycarp of Smyrna, pray for us Amen
St Polycarp pray for me
Amen
O! Saintly martyr, St. Polycarp, please bring my petitions before God whom you served so faithfully and receive favourable answers for me, I pray. Amen!
Saint Polycap, pray for us.
Saint Polycarp of Smyrna, pray for us!
Saint Polycarp, pray for me, that May I not allow trials and persecutions prevent me from serving God. Amen.
Saint Polycarp of Smyrna, pray for the Church in Nigeria that God will bear us up
Amen
Amen
St Polycarp pray for me to grow in the courage to defend my faith in every situation
Great martyr, Saint Polycarp, pray that I may never allow trials or persecutions to deter me from serving God.
St. Polycarp pray for the persecuted Church of Nigeria and pray for my family.
I leave it all in your hands Lord
Saint Polycarp of Smyrna, pray for us!
Amen
St Polycarp, Pray for my family
Amen.
Amen
Amen
Amen
Saint Polycarp of Smyrna Pray for us
Saint Polycarp pray for us
Saint Polycarp of Smyrna, pray for me, that I may grow in love for my enemies out of love for God. Pray that I may never allow trials or persecutions to deter me from serving God.
Saint Polycarp of Smyrna, pray for us! They entire James and Roseline Olebunne for God mercy, protection, job and business protection, security, fruitfulness, open doors and financial breakthrough this year and beyond Amen
Saint Polycarp of Smyrna, pray for us!
May our prayers be acceptable in Your Sight, we pray O Lord.
St Polycarp of Symrna, please intercede for Christians being persecuted in Platueau State and other States in Nigeria Amen .
Amen
Amen