The story of St Perpetua is the earliest first hand account we have of a martyr. Perpetua was a newly converted Christian in the year 203 AD. Along with 4 others, Perpetua would become a Christian against her father's wishes. When confronted with the fact by her father that by becoming a Christian it would mean her death becasue of Septimus' percescution, Perpetua answered:
"See that pot lying there? Can you call it by any other name than what it is?" Her father answered, "Of course not." Perpetua responded, "Neither can I call myself by any other name than what I am -- a Christian."
Perpetua would be arrested with the other catachumens and put into prison. Felicity, one of Perpetua's slaves who was also taken, became a Christian as well and would end up giving birth in prison. Perpetua would be seperated from her own baby as well while her father would keep the child from her. Perpetua was known for her "gift of the Lord's speech" and receiving messages from God. Her account includes a vision she received in prison of a golden ladder she was to climb that had many perils along the way of swords and knives and a dragon waiting for her to fall. At the top of the ladder was a clouded landscape with a hand reached out to help her up. This vivid account holds similar imagry of John's book of Revelation, although it is uncertain if she would have had access to it being that she was in Carthage of Northern Africa, while Johns account was written only aprox. 80-90 years before in Ephesus.
Perpetua would eventually be led to the arena to face wild beasts for her execution including a rabid heifer, bears, leopards and wild boars. Giving strength to those around her, she would stand to face the beasts and help Felicity to stand as well, knowing they were about to die for their faith.
The first hand account of Perpetua gave hope to current and future Christians and her story was read in churches all around the area. It was so popular, that St Augustine of Hippo had to warn against giving this story the same weight as scripture.
On Saturday, March 7th, we celebrate the feast day of Sts Perpetua and Felicity. They are the patron saints of martyrs, and give an accurate account of the persecution that fellow Christions went through to pass on the faith to us today.
Prayer: "Saints Perpetua and Felicity, watch over all mothers and children who are separated from each other because of war or persecution. Show a special care to mothers who are imprisoned and guide them to follow your example of faith and courage. Amen" | |
