Thursday, February 23, Thursday after Ash Wednesday
ST. POLYCARPUS (Smyrna, ca 69-156), BISHOP AND MARTYR
He was a disciple of St. John, who consecrated him Bishop of Smyrna (now Izmir, present Turkey), and a friend of St. Ignatius
of Antioch. With St. Pope Clement of Rome and Ignatius, he is considered one of the three Apostolic Fathers of the Church.
As s 'second-generation' Christian, his testimony was critical for affirming orthodox teaching in the face of many conflicting
interpretations of what Jesus said. At age 86, after he refused to burn incense to the Roman emperor (Marcus Aurelius),
a bloodthirsty crowd tried to burn him at the stake without success - they finally killed him with a dagger. After St. Stephen's,
the report of his martyrdom was the earliest reliable about the death of an early Christian martyr. A letter he wrote to the
Christians of Philippi survives.
Readings for today's Mass: usccb.org/bible/readings/022312.cfm
AT THE VATICAN TODAY
The Holy Father had his annual meeting today with the priests of Rome, his Diocese, and addressed them
in a lectio divina on Ephesians 4,1-14, during which he warned the clergy once more against vainglory.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 23/02/2012 18:31]