St. Apollonia, a virgin of Alexandria, was arrested during a bloody persecution of the Christians in 249. After having her teeth broken and torn out, she joyfully threw herself under the impulsion of the Spirit of God, into the fire prepared for her. There, while her frail body was consumed on earth, her very pure soul was borne into glory in heaven (Collect).Loquebar de testimoniis tuis in conspectu regum, et non confundebar: et meditabar in mandatis tuis, quae dilexi nimis. * Beati immaculati in via, qui ambulant in lege Domini.
I spoke of Thy testimonies before kings, and I was not ashamed: I meditated also on Thy commandments, which I loved. * Blessed are the undefiled in the way: who walk in the law of the Lord.
(Psalm 118:46-47,1 from the Introit of Mass)
Deus, qui inter cétera poténtiae tuae mirácula etiam in sexu frágili victóriam martýrii contulísti: concéde propítius; ut, qui beátae Apolloniae Vírginis et Martyris tuae natalítia cólimus, per ejus ad te exémpla gradiámur.
O God, who among the wonders of Thy power hast granted even to the weaker sex the triumph of martyrdom: mercifully grant that we who celebrate the heavenly birthday of blessed Apollonia, Thy virgin and martyr may, through her example, advance nearer to Thee.
(Collect)
From the Catholic Encyclopaedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01617c.htm
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