Sts. Perpetua and Felicity

Sts. Perpetua and Felicity were early Christian martyrs whose unwavering faith and courage during persecution have inspired generations. Perpetua, a noblewoman from Carthage, and Felicity, her enslaved companion, lived during the Roman Empire’s brutal suppression of Christianity under Emperor Septimius Severus. In 203, Perpetua, a young mother, was arrested for her Christian faith alongside Felicity, who was pregnant at the time. Despite pressure to renounce their beliefs, both women remained steadfast. Perpetua documented her imprisonment in a diary, one of the earliest surviving Christian writings by a woman, detailing her visions and resolve to face martyrdom. Felicity, fearing she would not be executed with her companions due to her pregnancy, prayed and gave birth to a daughter just days before their trial. The two women, along with other Christians, were condemned to death in the arena. On March 7, 203, in Carthage, they were publicly scourged and attacked by wild animals. Perpetua and Felicity comforted each other and their fellow martyrs, displaying remarkable bravery. Perpetua even guided the gladiator’s sword to her own neck, demonstrating her unyielding faith. Their martyrdom became a powerful testament to Christian devotion, and their story spread widely, inspiring early Christian communities. Though their canonization predates formal processes, they were venerated as saints by the early Church and are commemorated together on March 7, symbolizing the strength of faith across social divides.