Many of the stories that we have of the early Christian saints, especially the martyrs, are little more than legends, but that is not completely true for Saints Perpetua and Felicity. Perpetua herself wrote a record of what happened to herself and her companions, and there are writings from other people that knew her. These writings are known as “The Passion of St. Perpetua, St. Felicitas, and their Companions,” and they were written in both Latin and Greek. In the early centuries, these were very popular and were mentioned in the liturgies.
Perpetua was born into a noble family in Carthage. She was well educated, and in the year 203, she decided that she wanted to follow her mother’s example and become a Christian. Her father was a pagan, and he tried to change her mind. When her father couldn’t do that, he had her arrested. She was secretly baptized before she was thrown in jail. Perpetua knew that she would die for her faith, and while life in prison was not great, her pain came from being separated from her baby son. After much convincing of the guards, Perpetua was allowed to have her son with her in prison, so that she could nurse him and spend time with him.
While in jail, Perpetua’s brother encouraged her to pray for visions about if she would suffer or if she would be released. She prayed and had many visions about how she would suffer greatly. Her father would often come to her, begging and pleading with her to change her mind about the Christian faith. Each time she denied him.
Perpetua was arrested with four other catechumens, one of the being a slave named Felicity. While in jail, the five of them were joined by their teacher, Saturus, who chose to join their suffering. The jail was crowded, dark and hot. While Perpetua wasn’t able to see her son, Felicity was eight months pregnant.
Felicity was ready to die for her faith, and a large part of her was sad that she may not be martyred with her friends, because the law of the time was that no pregnant woman could be put to death. Felicity gave birth to a healthy baby girl two days before her and her friends were to be executed. Her daughter was given to a Christian woman in Carthage, and she adopted and raised her.
The day before they were to die, Perpetua, Felicity and their friends were brought out so that the crowds could laugh and mock them. But instead, the friends turned and laughed at the crowd and told them to become Christians. The next day, they were brought to an arena where the men were attacked by bears, leopards and wild boars. The women were attacked by a wild cow. Once the crowd had enough, they were brought before the gladiators. Perpetua and Felicity died together, standing side by side.
Activities to Try:
+ Find ways to boldly live out your faith, especially when it’s difficult or people mock you.
+ Pray to Sts. Perpetua and Felicity to have the courage to stand up for our faith.
Sts. Perpetua and Felicity
O God, at the urging of whose love the Martyrs Saints Perpetua and Felicity defied their persecutors and overcame the torment of earth, grant, we ask, by their prayers, that we may ever grow in Your love.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Sts. Perpetua and Felicity, Pray for Us
Comments