The Holy Martyress Perpetua

Commemorated on February 1

The Holy Martyress Perpetua was descended from patrician lineage and lived in Carthagena. In secret from her father, a convinced pagan, she accepted holy Baptism through believing in the Saviour. She was vouchsafed a martyr's end together with her own brother Satyrus, the maid-servant Felicita and the youths Revocatus, Satornilus and Secundus, who also were preparing to become Christians. Despite the exhorting of her father who persistently appealed to her maternal feelings, the early on widowed 22 year old Saint Perpetua subdued earthly attachment for the beloved infant at her bosom on account of the Heavenly Life. Before execution the saint had a vision from God, fortifying her strength of soul. Saint Secundus died in prison, but the remaining martyrs were given over for devouring by wild beasts. But the beasts would not touch the condemned, and then they were all killed by the sword. This occurred in about the year 203.