Saint Perpetua

the young mother of Carthage

Who was Saint Perpetua?

She was a young mother from Carthage, in North Africa, about twenty-two years old. Roman Martyrology, March 7; Passion of Perpetua and Felicity 2
In the year 203 she was arrested with other catechumens. Among them was Felicity, a young slave. Roman Martyrology, March 7; Catholic Encyclopedia, “Perpetua and Felicitas”
She told her father that she could not be called anything else: she was a Christian. She died a martyr with Felicity. Passion of Perpetua and Felicity 3; Roman Martyrology, March 7

Also called: Vibia Perpetua Passion of Perpetua and Felicity 2
From: Carthage, in North Africa (today Tunisia) Roman Martyrology, March 7
Feast day: March 7: Saints Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs

The path of Saint Perpetua

Before Jesus. She came from a good family and was well educated. She was married and had a nursing baby. Passion of Perpetua and Felicity 2
Before Jesus. She was preparing for baptism: she was a catechumen, like one of her two brothers. Passion of Perpetua and Felicity 2
With Jesus. In the year 203 she was arrested in Carthage, under the Emperor Septimius Severus. Roman Martyrology, March 7; Catholic Encyclopedia, “Perpetua and Felicitas”
With Jesus. Her father loved her very much, and so he begged her several times to give up the faith. Passion of Perpetua and Felicity 3; Passion of Perpetua and Felicity 5
With Jesus. She was baptized with her companions. Later she was allowed to keep her baby with her in prison. Passion of Perpetua and Felicity 3
With Jesus. Before the judge she refused to offer a sacrifice for the emperors, and she said she was a Christian. Passion of Perpetua and Felicity 6
Afterward. On March 7 of the year 203 she gave her life for her faith, together with Felicity. Catholic Encyclopedia, “Perpetua and Felicitas”; Roman Martyrology, March 7
Afterward. The account she wrote herself in prison has come down to us. The Church carefully keeps the acts of the martyrs. Passion of Perpetua and Felicity 2; Catechism 2474

Words of Saint Perpetua

In prison, Perpetua wrote her own account in Latin. Here we tell it in our own words.

What they were like

She came from a good family, was well educated, and was married. Passion of Perpetua and Felicity 2
She loved her baby very much: she wrote that having him with her gave her back her strength. Passion of Perpetua and Felicity 3
She comforted her father: she told him that at the trial, whatever God willed would happen. Passion of Perpetua and Felicity 5

The greatest thing they did

She did not deny her faith, even when her father begged her in tears. Passion of Perpetua and Felicity 5; Passion of Perpetua and Felicity 6
At the end she asked those close to her to stand firm in the faith and to love one another. Passion of Perpetua and Felicity 20

Not to be confused with

Felicity shared her prison and her martyrdom: a young slave who gave birth in prison. The Church celebrates them together. Passion of Perpetua and Felicity 2; Passion of Perpetua and Felicity 15; Roman Martyrology, March 7

In the Church today

Feast day: March 7, Saints Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs (memorial). General Roman Calendar; Roman Martyrology, March 7

In art, recognized by: The martyr’s palm This is how Christian art depicts her; A ladder that rises to heaven, from a dream she herself described Passion of Perpetua and Felicity 4; this is how Christian art depicts her

What people ask

Who was Felicity?

A young slave, arrested with Perpetua. She gave birth to a baby girl in prison and died a martyr with her. Passion of Perpetua and Felicity 2; Passion of Perpetua and Felicity 15; Roman Martyrology, March 7

Who wrote her story?

Perpetua herself wrote what she lived through in prison. The person who put the account together later told of her death. Passion of Perpetua and Felicity 2; Passion of Perpetua and Felicity 14

What happened to her baby?

Her father took him away before the end. Perpetua wrote that, as God willed, the child no longer needed to nurse. Passion of Perpetua and Felicity 6

Why is she remembered on March 7?

It is the day of her martyrdom, in the year 203. Catholic Encyclopedia, “Perpetua and Felicitas”; Roman Martyrology, March 7

Little known She wrote that the prison became like a palace to her once she had her baby with her. Passion of Perpetua and Felicity 3 She dreamed of a…

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Who Saint Perpetua is connected to

Jesus · gave her life for Christ

More people

All the people of the Bible · The Twelve Apostles · Women of the Bible

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