March 7--Sts. Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs

March 7—Sts. Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs

These two saints, noblewoman and slave, have one of the best recorded martyrdoms of early times.  They were killed in the third century because they wanted to become Christians!  Their last days and their deaths are recorded in The Passion of Perpetua and Felicitas, which can be found on the Internet.  Perpetua was an educated Roman woman who wrote about her own martyrdom including her visions and experiences in prison.  She, along with Felicity and other catechumens (persons who were preparing for baptism), were sent to the games in honor of the emperor in North Africa.  She refused to renounce her faith in face of pleas from her father or threats of a terrible death.  Both Perpetua and Felicity were mothers of infants.  Felicity had even given birth in prison.  But they faced death bravely in the arena because they believed in the promise of Jesus that they would rise again.

Most of us are baptized soon after birth.  Perpetua and Felicity were baptized in prison by their catechist, who also suffered death before them.  However, we have catechumens who are moving toward their entry into the Catholic Church on Easter Vigil.  They have undergone months of training and education in preparation for this event.  They have made the decision that they want to become members of the Catholic community.  They will be baptized or make a profession of faith, receive the sacrament of Confirmation and then receive Holy Eucharist for the first time.  Oh what a joy for them and for us.  Please keep our catechumens in your prayers.