About St. Apollonia

ST. APOLLONIA: PATRONESS OF DENTISTRY

St. Apollonia, who died in the year 249, was martyred for not renouncing her faith during the reign of Emperor Philip. St. Dionysius wrote the account of the life of St. Apollonia to Fabian, Bishop of Antioch. Apollonia had all of her teeth knocked out after being hit in the face by a Christian persecutor under the reign of Emperor Philip. After she was threatened with fire unless she renounced her faith, Apollonia jumped into the flames voluntarily. She is considered the patron of dental diseases and is often invoked by those with toothaches. Ancient art depicts her with a golden tooth at the end of her necklace. Also, in art she is seen with pincers holding a tooth.

PRAYER FOR TOOTHACHE TO ST. APOLLONIA

O Glorious Apollonia, patron saint of dentistry and refuge to all those suffering from diseases of the teeth, I consecrate myself to thee, beseeching thee to number me among thy clients. Assist me by your intercession with God in my daily work and intercede with Him to obtain for me a happy death. Pray that my heart like thine may be inflamed with the love of Jesus and Mary, through Christ our Lord. Amen. O My God, bring me safe through temptation and strengthen me as thou didst our own patron Apollonia, through Christ our Lord. Amen.