[Rank]
S. Apollonia virgin and martyr;;Simplex;;1.1;;vide C6b

[Rule]
vide C6b;

[Oratio]
O God, Who, amidst the wondrous work of thy Divine power, dost make even weak~
women to be more than conquerors in the uplifting of their testimony, mercifully~
grant unto all us which do keep the Birthday of thy blessed handmaiden and~
witness Apollonia grace to follow her steps to thee-ward.
$Per Dominum

[Lectio93]
Apollonia was an aged virgin of Alexandria, who, (in the year of salvation 249,)~
in the reign of the Emperor Decius, was brought before the idols to worship them,~
but refused, declaring that Christ Jesus is True God, and that to Him worship is~
due. The cruel executioners beat and pulled out all her teeth, and threatened to~
burn her alive if she would not deny Christ. To whom she answered, that for~
Christ Jesus' sake she was ready to die. Being taken to the place of execution~
she stood for a few moments as if in doubt, and then, the fire of the Holy Ghost~
burning up in her heart, she broke from those that held her, and leapt of her~
own accord into the flames. Her body was quickly consumed, and her soul~
departed pure to obtain the eternal crown of martyrdom.
&teDeum
