When we think of gladiators, one of the first images that come to mind is Russell Crowe’s badass character of General Maximus Decimus Meridius who avenges his family’s death and is carried off the arena floor as a hero in the movie, The Gladiator. We probably don’t think about the early Christians who faced gladiators as a result of refusing to renounce their faith. I don’t think you can get more badass than that.
Two amazing women whose steadfast faith and bravery trumps any gladiator’s brute strength are Saints Perpetua and Felicity. They were Christian martyrs who lived during the early persecution of the Church in Carthage, North Africa. Their incredible story of courage in the face of persecution serves as an inspiration to Christians everywhere.
In the year 203 A.D., Vivia Perpetua, a well-educated noblewoman and a new mother to a baby boy whom she was nursing, decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps and become a Christian. She made this decision despite knowing that it could mean death during the persecutions ordered by Emperor Severus. Her father, who was a pagan, pleaded with her to renounce her faith but she refused and was arrested and separated from her baby. (1)
Perpetua was arrested along with four other catechumens, including Felicity, her slave woman who was 8 months pregnant. For their unwillingness to renounce their faith, all were tried and sentenced to be thrown to the wild beasts in the arena. Felicity gave birth to a baby girl while in prison days before her martyrdom.
On the day of their execution, the martyrs left their prison “joyfully as though they were on their way to heaven”. The men were killed by bears, leopards, and wild boars. Felicity and Perpetua survived an encounter with a rapid cow but eventually were beheaded by the gladiators. Today these women are mentioned in the first Eucharistic Prayer. (2)
In today’s world, it’s much easier to conform to society rather than to stand up for your faith. It’s inspiring to learn about early Christians who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Even though Felicity and Perpetua weren’t carried off the arena floor as heroes on Earth, you can be sure that they had a hero’s welcome as they entered the gates of heaven that day.
Saints Perpetua and Felicity are the patron saints of mothers, expectant mothers, ranchers and butchers. Their feast day is celebrated on March 7.
Prayer:
Saints Felicity and Perpetua, your martyrdom was an act of bravery, which moved the Christians of your age and continues to move us today. Give all who invoke your names similar courage, fortitude, and faith to overcome timidity in witnessing to Christ in difficult circumstances.
— Amen
xoxo,
Hi there! I’m Maria and the creator of this blog. I’m a Fitness Instructor, Multimedia Producer, and Travel Photographer focused on helping women get in shape physically through fun and effective workouts and spiritually through faith-based reflections. Let’s get Fit4Paradise together!