“Neither can I call myself anything else than what I am, a Christian.”
                                                                                                                                     - St. Perpetua

Saints Perpetua and Felicity were Christian martyrs who lived during the early persecution of the Church in Africa by the Emperor Severus.

In the year 203, Vivia Perpetua, a well-educated noblewoman, made the decision to follow the path of her mother and become a Christian, although she knew it could mean her death during the persecutions ordered by the Emperor Severus. Her surviving brother (another brother had died when he was seven) followed her leadership and became a catechumen as well.

Her pagan father was frantic with worry and tried to talk her out of her decision. She was married, but since her husband is never mentioned, many historians assume she was a widow.

Perpetua told her father that she would want to live as a Christian. Infuriated, he attacked her. Perpetua was arrested with four other catechumens, including two slaves, Felicity and Revocatus, and Saturninus and Secundulus.

Perpetua was baptized before taken to prison. She was known for her gift of "the Lord's speech" and receiving messages from God. She tells us that at the time of her baptism she was told to pray for nothing but endurance in the face of her trials.

The soldiers who arrested and guarded them pushed and shoved them without any concern. Perpetua had no trouble admitting she was very afraid, but during all this horror, her most excruciating pain came from being separated from her baby.

The young slave, Felicity was even worse off, for Felicity suffered the stifling heat, overcrowding, and rough handling while being eight months pregnant.

Two deacons who ministered to the prisoners paid the guards to place the martyrs in a better part of the prison. There, her mother and brother were able to visit Perpetua and bring her baby to her.

Once her father came to her, begging her to give in, kissing her hands, and throwing himself at her feet. She told him, "We lie not in our own power but in the power of God."

When she and the others were taken to be examined and sentenced, her father followed, pleading with her and the judge. The judge, out of pity, also tried to get Perpetua to change her mind, but when she stood fast, she was sentenced with the others to be thrown to the wild beasts in the arena.

Two days before her execution, Felicity gave birth to a baby girl, who was adopted and raised by one of the Christian women of Carthage.

On the day of the execution, the men were thrown to bears, leopards, and wild boars. Perpetua and Felicity were thrown into the arena to face the gladiators. They stood side by side and were killed by sword at Carthage in the Roman province of Africa.

Sts. Perpetua and Felicity are the patron saints of mothers, expectant mothers, ranchers and butchers.

Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Ardo
2. Saint Deifer
3. Saint Enodoch
4. Saint Paul the Simple
5. Saint Esterwine

-catholic.org