March 7 – Sts. Perpetua and Felicity

March 7th is the memorial of Saints Perpetua, Felicity, and their companions who were martyred for the faith in the early 3rd century. Perpetua and Felicity, two young mothers, both remained firm in their faith even in the face of losing their children and being put to death. Below is an excerpt from Perpetua’s diary.

"...we were still with the persecutors, and my father, for the sake of his affection for me, was persisting in seeking to turn me away, and to cast me down from the faith—'Father,' said I, 'do you see, let us say, this vessel lying here to be a little pitcher, or something else?' And he said, 'I see it to be so.' And I replied to him, 'Can it be called by any other name than what it is?' And he said, 'No.' 'Neither can I call myself anything else than what I am, a Christian.'"

While Christians around the world are being persecuted and even killed for the faith, I pray that Sts. Perpetua and Felicity will intercede on behalf of all those in need of the courage to stand for Our Lord and His Church.