SAINT POLYCARP (156 A.D.) Bishop and Martyr

 

  

SAINT POLYCARP

Bishop and Martyr

DOUBLE / RED

A disciple of St. John the Beloved, Polycarp received from the Apostle himself his appointment as bishop of Smyrna. Polycarp served his master ardently during a long episcopate. In his old age he refused to flee persecution and faced martyrdom with supreme peace of soul. When ordered to deny Christ, Polycarp replied, "For 86 years I have served Him; how then can I blaspheme my Savior and my King?" The last of the bishops chosen by the Apostles, he was martyred in the year 156.

Mass of a MARTYR BISHOP, except the following:

Introit 
Dan 3:84, 87.
O ye priests of the Lord, bless the Lord: O ye holy and humble of heart, praise God.
Dan. 3:57
All ye works of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

O ye priests of the Lord, bless the Lord: O ye holy and humble of heart, praise God.

COLLECT

O God, who gladdens us each year by the feast of Your blessed Martyr bishop Polycarp, mercifully grant that we who celebrate his birthday may also enjoy his protection. through Our Lord . . .

EPISTLE I John 3:10-16

Beloved: Whosoever is not just is not of God, or he that loveth not his brother. For this is the declaration which you have heard from the beginning, that you should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of the wicked one and killed his brother. And wherefore did he kill him? Because his own works were wicked: and his brother's just. Wonder not, brethren, if the world hate you.
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer. And you know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in himself. In this we have known the charity of God, because he hath laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 

Gradual
Ps 8:6-7
Thou hast crowned him with glory and honor.
V. And hast set him over the works of Thy hands, O Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.
V. This is the priest whom the Lord hath crowned. Alleluia.

GOSPEL Matt. 10:26-32

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, " Therefore fear them not. For nothing is covered that shall not be revealed: nor hid, that shall not be known. That which I tell you in the dark, speak ye in the light: and that which you hear in the ear, preach ye upon the housetops. And fear ye not them that kill the body, and are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him that can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: better are you than many sparrows. Every one therefore that shall confess me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven."

Offertory
Ps 88:21-22
I have found David My servant, with My holy oil I have anointed him; for My hand shall help him, and My arm shall strengthen him.

 

SECRET

Bless the gifts we have set apart for You, O Lord. May the prayers of Your blessed Martyr bishop Polycarp help these offerings to win Your mercy for us. Through our Lord . . .

 

Communion
Ps 20:4
Thou hast set on his head, O Lord, a crown of precious stones.

POSTCOMMUNION

We are refreshed by the reception of Your sacred Gift, O Lord. May the prayers of Your blessed Martyr bishop Polycarp make us feel the benefit of the sacred rite we have performed. Through Our Lord . . . 

St. Polycarp miraculously extinguishing fire Icon. Image via Wikipedia