Perpetua & Felicity
I've recently been troubled by what seems to be the lack of women throughout Christian History who have been able to juggle both family and calling. It seems like they choose one over the other (i.e., Brigid, Ita, Mother Teresa, and even Dorothy Day to a certain extent.)
The story of Perpetua and Felicity intrigued me. We celebrate their feast today.
Both are from Carthage, which is modern day Tunisia. Both lived during the 2nd century, under Septimus' rule. Perpetua was a well-educated and upperclass; Felicity was a slave. Both were arrested for their beliefs and taken to prison. Perpetua had a newborn while Felicity was 8-months pregnant.
Two deacons who ministered to the prisoners paid off the guards so that Perpetua and Felicity could be moved to a less crowded area of the prison. Her family was able to visit and bring the child for nursing.
The women were given the opportunity to renounce their faith, but they refused. Perpetua's exasperated father would not send her newborn to see her after this.
Two days before their execution, Felicity gave birth to a healthy daughter who was adopted by a Christian woman in town.
The women were stripped and faced a rabid animal. But the crowd, so disturbed at the site of naked young mothers, recoiled and the 2 women were clothed. As their throats were cut, Perpetua's last words were, "Stand fast in the faith and love one another."
The story of Perpetua and Felicity intrigued me. We celebrate their feast today.
Both are from Carthage, which is modern day Tunisia. Both lived during the 2nd century, under Septimus' rule. Perpetua was a well-educated and upperclass; Felicity was a slave. Both were arrested for their beliefs and taken to prison. Perpetua had a newborn while Felicity was 8-months pregnant.
Two deacons who ministered to the prisoners paid off the guards so that Perpetua and Felicity could be moved to a less crowded area of the prison. Her family was able to visit and bring the child for nursing.
The women were given the opportunity to renounce their faith, but they refused. Perpetua's exasperated father would not send her newborn to see her after this.
Two days before their execution, Felicity gave birth to a healthy daughter who was adopted by a Christian woman in town.
The women were stripped and faced a rabid animal. But the crowd, so disturbed at the site of naked young mothers, recoiled and the 2 women were clothed. As their throats were cut, Perpetua's last words were, "Stand fast in the faith and love one another."
