In the Opening Prayer on March 7 we pray, “Father, your love gave the saints Perpetua and Felicity courage to suffer a cruel martyrdom. By their prayers, help us to grow in love of you” (Sacramentary, page 617).
Perpetua and Felicity lived in Carthage, Africa during a time of the persecution of Christians. Both women were catechumens who were preparing for their initiation into the Christian community. They were arrested and sentenced to death. While they were in prison, they were baptized and received new life in Christ.
Perpetua came from a wealthy family. Her father was a pagan and begged her to give up her faith. Perpetua told him that she would not lie about her belief in Jesus. Felicity was a slave who worked in Perpetua’s house. She gave birth to a child shortly before she was killed.
The women were executed in the year 202. Their faith was such an example that one of their guards became a Christian because of them.
The Church honors Perpetua and Felicity as saints. Their example reminds us to thank God for making us his children in the sacrament of Baptism. We pray for the grace and faith to live our faith each day.
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