Perpetua, a young mother of Carthaginian nobility, and Felicity, a slave woman imprisoned with her and pregnant at the time, were martyred during the persecution of Emperor Severus in 203. Along with their Christian companions, they were sent to the public games in the Carthage arena. Although details of early martyrs are often unclear, a true record exists attesting to the courage of these two saints, known as “The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity.”

~ A passage from St. Perpetua’s account in captivity, while separated from her baby: “… I was very much afraid, because I had never felt such darkness. O terrible day! O the fierce heat of the shock of the soldiery, because of the crowds! I was very distressed by my anxiety for my infant… ”
Note: The Memorial of Saints Perpetua and Felicity, which is ordinarily celebrated on March 7, is superseded by the Sunday Liturgy.