March: SS Perpetua and felicity

Saint Perpetua and Saint Felicity were African women who were martyred in 203 AD at Carthage (in modern day Tunisia). They are among the martyrs listed in the Roman Canon (the First Eucharistic Prayer). Perpetua, a noblewoman, had an infant son. Felicity, a slave, was pregnant and gave birth in prison two days before her martyrdom. They were among five catechumens who were put to death during Roman games held in honour of Emperor Septimus Severus. Perpetua wrote an account, published after her death, entitled “The Passion of Perpetua and Felicity” which described their sufferings in prison before their martyrdom. The martyrs were thrown to wild beasts, following which Perpetua and Felicity were killed with a gladiator’s sword. Their feast day is celebrated on 7 March. They are the patron saints of mothers and expectant mothers.