St. Polycarp

Started briefly on Berkeley, Saturday, February 14, 2026 7:02 PM [But updated on February 15].

Brief, and likely, shallow, nine to ten days of prayer in honor to a Saint, it is not enough to know him or her. Yet, I always wonder and admire those people who has preserved the faith with their talents and lived it with their actions.

Fulton Sheen said there have been many deaths and resurrections since Christ. I do not know exactly how to interpret it, beyond literally. I hope I am quoting it right. I am doing by memory. But here we have the case of a giant figure of the Church, who I am just learning about. A disciple of Saint John the evangelist. Bishop of Smyrna. Probably, Saint John referred to him in the book of Revelation 2:8-11. A martyr. Then, I understand a death, and yet resurrection. He was killed in the year 155 AD. We remember him today, 1971 years later. Is that also resurrection? A seed must die on the ground so several new plants would grow. I would check this last sentence reference closely from somewhere in the bible, and from probably the last speech of Monseñor Romero?

Viva Saint Polycarp.

He wrote an epistle to the Philippians.

Memorial day: February 23

Day 1. February 15. A giant Apostolic Father, from whom I shall know more. Friend of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, also from whom I shall know more. Bishop Polycarp was born, probably in Smyrna in 69 AD. The Lord, Jesus, passed away on April 3, 33 AD around 3 PM [according to [1]]. So Saint Polycarp was born 36 years after our Lord was alive. Smyrna was located in current Izmir, Turkey, which is about 650 mi way from Jerusalem by boat or about 950 miles by land. How Christianity expanded that quick. That is a work of the Lord. Then, also thank you to this giant, Saint Polycarp.

In the days that Bishop Polycarp was persecuted. He went to farm-house. Spent his time in prayer, and while praying he felt into a trance three days before his apprehension. He saw his pillow burning with fire. Then he turned and said to his companions, it must be that I shall be burned alive. He say the Will of God Will Be Done and went to meet his pursuers. [2] [I transcribed parts of this text from the second reference below, from the new advent]

I am searching for his famous prayer at His martydom.

Ok. Well read this letter [3]. I will keep learning. It seems that he was not injured by the fire. I will start typing the prayer below and keep adding to this text as I learn more about him during this novena.

The Prayer of Polycarp [3]

When Bishop Polycarp was about to burned alive. He looked up to heaven, and said:

"O Lord god Almighty, the father of your beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, by whom we have received the knowledge of You, the God of angels and powers, and of every creature, and of the whole race of the righteous who live before you, I give You thanks that You have counted me, worthy of this hour...."

References

1. https://penelope.uchicago.edu/encyclopaedia_romana/calendar/jesus.html
2. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12219b.htm
3. https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0102.htm