Sts. Perpetua and Felicity

Perpetua, a young mother, and Felicity, an enslaved expectant mother, faced execution together rather than renounce Christ.

The story

Vibia Perpetua and Felicity were Christians of Roman North Africa who died at Carthage on March 7, 203. Their arrest and martyrdom are recorded in the Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity. This unusually early and valuable text contains a first-person prison account attributed to Perpetua, a vision recorded by Saturus, and a concluding narrative written by an editor.

Perpetua was about twenty-two years old, well educated, recently married, and nursing an infant son. Felicity was an enslaved woman and was pregnant. They were catechumens when arrested with Revocatus, Saturninus, and Secundulus. Saturus, their teacher, later joined them. Perpetua received baptism while under guard. Her father repeatedly begged her to abandon the Christian name for the sake of her family. She answered that she could no more call herself something other than Christian than an object could be called by a name contrary to what it was.

In prison, Perpetua suffered from darkness, crowding, fear, and separation from her child. Christian deacons arranged some relief, and for a time she was allowed to nurse him. She also recorded several visions that strengthened her hope of victory in Christ. Felicity feared that her pregnancy would delay her execution because Roman law forbade the execution of a pregnant woman. She gave birth to a daughter in prison two days before the games. A Christian woman adopted the child.

The prisoners were taken into the amphitheater during public games. Perpetua and Felicity were exposed together to a wild cow. After surviving the animals, the martyrs exchanged the kiss of peace and were killed by the sword. The Passion reports that an inexperienced executioner struck Perpetua imperfectly, and she guided the blade to her throat. Their names entered the Roman Canon of the Mass, evidence of their ancient and widespread veneration. The General Roman Calendar observes their obligatory memorial on March 7.

What Perpetua teaches

Sts. Perpetua and Felicity show that baptism creates a dignity and communion deeper than differences of legal status, education, or wealth. Their courage fulfills Christ's call to remain faithful under persecution and reflects the Church's teaching on martyrdom in CCC 2473.

Patronage

mothers, expectant mothers, widows, persecuted Christians.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, you strengthened Sts. Perpetua and Felicity to confess your name without fear. Through their intercession, protect persecuted Christians, sustain mothers in hardship, and give us courage to remain faithful to you. Amen.