Day Five - Sts. Perpetua and Felicity

Today's Reflection

by Hannah Blosser

Sts. Perpetua and Felicity (sometimes called “Felicitas”) are two less well-known saints of the Catholic Church. These two holy women lived during the third century, and were martyred in Carthage, North Africa, in the year AD 203, under the reign of the pagan emperor, Septimus Severus. They were catechumens (people preparing to be baptized… kind of the old version of RCIA) during a time of great persecution for Christians. Sts. Perpetua and Felicity are the patronesses of martyrs, cattle, and mothers, particularly expectant mothers (St. Perpetua is also my personal Confirmation saint!)

St. Perpetua was a young noblewoman, the daughter of a pagan father and a secretly Christian mother. At the time of her death, she was about 22 years old and was a new mother to a baby boy. She and her slave, St. Felicity, were secretly preparing for Christian baptism, under the guidance of their teacher, Saturus. The two women were arrested when it was discovered that they were Christians, and sent to prison. Felicity was pregnant at the time.

Perpetua’s father tried to convince her to renounce her faith, often imploring her to do so for the sake of her infant son. St. Perpetua remained steadfast, telling her father “[I cannot] call myself by any other name than what I am - a Christian.”

While they were in prison, Felicity gave birth to a baby girl.  Before their martyrdom, both mothers had to give up their children. Perpetua entrusted the care of her son to her younger brother, who was also a catechumen. Felicity’s infant daughter was adopted by a Christian couple. The heroic sacrifice of these two women in giving up their own children for the sake of Christ is a powerful example to Christians everywhere. It also emphasizes the importance of adoption; if not for the willingness of Perpetua’s brother and the other Christian couple, the two infants may not have had good homes to be raised in.

Sacrifice is an important part of Lent, but when we hear “sacrifice,” we often think of giving up things like food, the internet, or TV. But there are spiritual sacrifices we can make, as well. Just like the martyrs of the early Church, we should be prepared to sacrifice by patiently dealing with our struggles. We should be willing to sacrifice anything and everything for Christ’s sake, and when temptation comes our way, be ready to pray for guidance and perseverance.

When we are suffering persecution, we should be ready to boldly say with St. Perpetua, “I am a Christian.”

Prayer of Surrender to God's Will

Lord; do with me what you will. May your will be ever done; I only desire what you will. I desire to suffer what you will; I desire to die when you will. Into your hands I commend my body, my soul, my life, and my death. I love you, O my God, whether it pleases you to send me consolations or afflictions, and I desire to love you always. Will of my God, you are my love. Good pleasure of my God, I devote myself entirely to you.

Amen.

Prayer from early 20th century