Gospel in Art: Saints Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs

Sacra Conversazione with Mary & Child, St Felicity and St Perpetua. Painter unknown 1520. Egg tempera and gold leaf on panel © National Museum, Warsaw

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 7 March 2025
Matthew 9:14-15

At that time: The disciples of John came to Jesus, saying, 'Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?' And Jesus said to them, 'Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.'

Reflection on the painting

Today we celebrate Saints Felicity and Perpetua. They are two early Christian martyrs who died in Carthage, in the Roman province of Africa, on 7 March 203 AD. Perpetua was a young, well-educated noblewoman, and Felicity was a pregnant slave girl. Despite coming from different social backgrounds, they were united in their conversion to Christianity, a decision that led to their arrest during the reign of Emperor Septimius Severus (reigned 192-211 AD). At the time, the emperor had decreed a ban on conversions to Christianity, which he viewed as a threat to Roman religious traditions and authority.

The "Passion of Saint Perpetua, Saint Felicitas, and their Companions" (Latin: Passio sanctarum Perpetuae et Felicitatis) is an early Christian text that includes Perpetua's own diary, making it one of the oldest, most vivid, and most personal accounts of early Christian martyrdom. Along with the experiences of Perpetua and Felicity, the text also appears to contain, the accounts of the visions of Saturus, another Christian martyred with Perpetua. A further editor who states he was an eyewitness has added further accounts of the martyrs' suffering and deaths.

The Passio Sanctarum Perpetuae et Felicitatis narrates their imprisonment, the visions Perpetua received while incarcerated, and the steadfastness of their faith despite the pleas of their families and the threat of a brutal death in the arena. Felicity, who was eight months pregnant at the time of her arrest, gave birth to a daughter while in prison, just days before her execution. Together, they were subjected to public humiliation and were ultimately killed by wild animals and gladiators.

Our early 16th century icon painting depicts the Coronation of Our Lady. She is seen holding the Christ child with one arm and in the other she is holding an apple, referencing to Mary as the New Eve and her role in the story of salvation. We see saint Felicity on the left, pregnant; on the right stands Perpetua holding the book of the Passio Sanctarum writings. Both are seen resting on a large sword, the symbol of their martyrdom.

Saints Felicity and Perpetua. Pray for us.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-9-14-15-2025/ (with audio)