Do you often find yourself wincing in pain due to a toothache or dreading your next visit to the dentist? If so, you might be interested in St. Apollonia, the patron saint of tooth pain and dentists.
St. Apollonia lived in Alexandria during the 3rd century, a time of intense persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire. According to tradition, she was subjected to brutal torture, including having all of her teeth pulled out, for refusing to renounce her faith. Despite her suffering, she remained steadfast in her belief and eventually gave her life for her cause.
As a result of her unwavering devotion and the manner in which she suffered, St. Apollonia has become a symbol of hope and comfort for those experiencing dental pain. Her feast day is celebrated on February 9th and is a time for remembering and honoring her courage.
For dentists, St. Apollonia serves as a reminder of the importance of their work in easing patient discomfort and improving oral health. Many dental offices display her image as a symbol of their commitment to providing high-quality care and comfort to their patients.
In a prayer to St. Apollonia, dentists and patients can ask for her intercessions:
“Almighty and Everlasting God, who chose blessed Apollonia to be a witness to your love even unto death: Grant that by her intercession, we may have strength to bear our sufferings with joy, and persevere in the confession of our faith, even to the end.”
St. Apollonia, pray for us!
🙏
Photo credit: Wolfgang Sauber, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
