MEMORIAL: MARCH 7
St. Perpetua and St. Felicity are female martyrs from the year 203 AD. Little is known about their early lives, but we know a significant amount of details from the end of their life because of their own writings and eyewitness accounts of their martyrdom. Both women lived in North Africa during Christian persecutions and had only recently been baptized when they were arrested.
Perpetua and Felicity were both young mothers when arrested; Perpetua had recently given birth and Felicity was 8 months pregnant. Perpetua was an educated woman while Felicity was a slave. Both were under great pressure from their families to deny Christ in front of the judge, but they refused. When given a vision from God about the end of her life and the lives of her companions, Perpetua was shown a golden ladder to heaven with Jesus the Good Shepherd leading her past dangers around the ladder.
When they eventually were led to the Arena to celebrate the emperor’s birthday, Perpetua, Felicity, and their companions were first thrown to wild beasts. The mauling seemed to have no effect on the Christians, so the crowds called for the gladiators to put them to death. In peaceful acceptance, Perpetua, Felicity, and companions were killed by the sword of gladiators and received the crown of martyrdom.
