Polycarp, bishop and martyr (+ 155)

Biography

He loved and knew how to teach the only and true love. Everything else had to be placed at the service of this Love, he said... Everyone knew of the great kindness and tender heart of Policarpo. He was hard on himself, but very soft and sweet toward others. Words of love and affection flowed from his lips and not only words, but wonderful deeds in favor of the poor and sick. He attended to everyone with unparalleled charity and as if they were the same Master. Sometimes even the children were enraptured listening to his fiery words. One of these children who did not lose a word of everything he heard from this venerable old man was called Irenaeus, who would become Bishop of Lyon and a great Father of the Church. During the persecution of the Christians he is captured and those angry men want to tie him up and throw him into the flames. He asks not to attend to him: "HE WHO HAS GIVEN ME THE WILL TO SUFFER, WILL GIVE ME THE STRENGTH." Before dying, Polycarp, to the great amazement of all present, boldly exclaims: "God of angels, I thank you because it is a great honor for me to be able to bring my lips to the chalice from which Jesus Christ, your Son, drank." And that February 22 of the year 155, this "Father of Christians and Prince of Asia" died a holy death.