Saints Perpetua and Felicitas Perpetua was a young woman, only twenty-two years of age, who led a very devout life, was married, and had a son. Felicitas was still young, but also married, as a most exemplary person. The martyrs were kept from some time in a private house, guarded by soldiers; during which time the father of St. Perpetua came to see her, and, being a pagan, used all his endeavors to make her abandom the faith. In the original Acts of these martyrs we find that the occurrences which took place up to the eve of their martydrom were written by St. Perpetua herself. My father, writes the saint, used all his endeavors to pervert me; I resolutely answered, Father, I am a Christian. He instantly threw himself upon me in a rage, as if to tear out my eyes, and used the most injurious language. A few days afterwards we all received the holy baptism, and were led to the public prison, where I was horrified by the darkness, the noisome smell, the great heat occasioned by the number of prisoners. I had the happiness to have my son brought to me here, which greatly consoled me. My brother came to see me, and desired me to pray to the Lord to let me know whether I was to obtain the crown of martyrdom. I accordingly placed myself in prayer, and saw, in a vision, a golden ladder which reached to the heavens; it was very narrow, and to the sides were fixed sharp knives and iron spikes. At the foot of the ladder was a dragon, who appeared ready to devour those that would attempt to mount it. The first that went up was a certain Christian names Saturus, who invited me to follow him. I ascended, and found myself in a spacious garden, where I met a man of very fine aspect, who said to me: Thou are welcome, my daughter. After this vision I knew that we were all destined to suffer martydrom, and I told my brother so. My father came again to see me in prison, and throwing himself at my feet in a flood of tears; Daugher, he said, have pity on me, a poor old man, that am thy father; have pity, at least, on thy child, and bring not ruin upon us all by thy obstinacy. I was pierced with grief, but remained immovable in my resolution. On the following day I was brought before the auditor, Hilarian, who, by reason of the death of the proconsul, acting as judge. My father appeared with me, holding my son in his arms, whereupon the judge said: Perpetua, have pity on they father and thy son, sacrifice to the god. I answered that I was a Christian, and that we were all ready to die for our faith. The judge then condemned us to be dewoured by wild beasts. We received the sentence with joy, and were brought back to prison, where we were met by my father, who tearing his hair and his beard, threw himself upon his face on the earth, lamenting that he lived to see that day. He was endeavored to pull me off the platform, but the judge commanded him to be beaten off, and received a blow with a stick, at which I was much grieved; but the Lord continued to grant me strength. Secundulus died in prison, of his sufferings, and Saturus had already obtained the crown. Felicitas desired to suffer with the rest, but she was pregnant, and the law forbade women to be put to death in that state. Her companions therefore prayed for her, and on that very day she was delivered of a daughter. The saint moaned by reason of her pains, and one of the guards said to her: Dost thou moan? What wilt thou do when thou shalt be devoured by wild beast? She answered: I now suffer by myself; but then I shall have Jesus Christ with me, and by his grace I will endure all things for his sake. Sts. Perpetua and Felicitas were wrapped in nest and exposed to a mad cow. St. Perpetua was firs attacked, and having been tossed in the air, she fell upon her back. Then sitting up, she perceived her clothes torn, and was endeavoring to cover herself, when she was again knocked down; but recovering herself, she stretched forth her hand to rais S. Felicitas, whom she perceived prostrate upon the ground, much hurt. The populace were at length moved to compassion, and the two saints were led into the centre of the amphitheatre, and dispatched by the gladiators. Thus did they receive, with their companions, the heavenly crown, on the 7th of March, in the year 203.
Posted on: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 16:23:27 +0000
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