Saints Perpetua and Felicity

Saints Perpetua and Felicity, were young Christian martyrs who were martyred during a Christian persecution. Felicity was a slave and she also was pregnant when she was jailed. Felicity gave birth a few days before her martyrdom. While Perpetua was a 22 year old, noble woman, who was married and was also a new mother. Perpetua decided as an early mother to become a Christian because her mother was one. Perpetua was aware that this decision could lead to her death during the Christian persecution, but she kept strong to her decision and decided to live a life devoted to God. One of her brothers decided to follow her and he became a Christian as well. Her father who was a pagan was worried for her since she was a young women and he tried to talk her out of her decision. However, Perpetua stuck to her faith and never let anything get in the way. Perpetua was later arrested with four other Christians, including two slaves, one of the slaves was Felicity. Perpetua had just got baptized before being taken to prison and she prayed for endurance during the moments of trials that were ahead of her.

The jail was said to be a very dark, humid and crowded place. Perpetua said that during her time in the jail she was terrified and the hardest pain she had to endure was being separated from her baby. Felicity also had her struggles during her time in jail. Felicity at that time was 8 months pregnant and it was difficult for her to deal with the humidity, guards and the overcrowding in the jail. However, eventually some deacons paid the guards to have the martyrs moved to a new location. In that location Perpetua was able to see her baby occasionally.

When Perpetua and the other prisoners were brought to be trialed and sentenced, the judge tried to get Perpetua to change her mind and reject her beliefs. However, Perpetua stuck with her faith and was sentenced with the others to be thrown in an arena with wild animals.

Perpetua had a vision of a journey that she had to take to reach Heaven. In her dream she saw a golden ladder which had knifes, hooks and swords on both sides of it, so if anyone did not climb it they would be injured. While beneath the ladder, she saw a large dragon which was attempting to scare the people who were climbing up. This vision that Perpetua had made her understand that she would have to endure suffering in her life to reach heaven and be with God.

Felicity was also sentenced to execution, but because the law stated that pregnant women could not be executed, she had to give birth first before being executed. Felicity was worried that she would still be pregnant on the day of the martyrdom and not be able to join the other prisoners on the journey. However, she gave birth two days before her martyrdom. She gave her newly born girl up for adoption and her daughter was raised by a Christian woman.

When in the arena, the women were stripped and had to face a rabid female cow. Perpetua and Felicity were put into the arena and attacked, and when the crowd said they had received enough. The women were taken out and clothed again. However, this was not even close to the end of their persecution. Perpetua and Felicity were put back into the arena, this time they had to face gladiators. Perpetua cried out to all the Christians before she died saying "Stand fast in the faith, and love one another. Do not let our sufferings be a stumbling block to you." Perpetua and Felicity died together that day and gave hope and strength to other Christians.

Saints Perpetua and Felicity are the patron saints of mothers, and expecting mother’s. Their feast day is celebrated on March 7th.

Prayer to Saints Perpetua and Felicity:

Saints Perpetua and Felicity, place you mantel protection over every mother, every newborn baby and every child especially those that have been affected greatly by persecution or war. Help these mothers and children understand that they are in the hands of our Mother in Heaven Mary and that Jesus is suffering with them at their side. Help them to find peace and comfort in prayer and help them know that Jesus, Mary and all the saints are always with them.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord and Mary Our Mother in Heaven.

Amen

Works Cited:

Information (read from, not taken):

Catholic Online. “Sts. Perpetua and Felicity.” Saints and Angels. 2021. Sts. Perpetua and Felicity - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online . Accessed 7 March 2021.

Images:

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