To Live for the Lord is Also to Die for the Lord
“Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah. 41:10).
Two young mothers, celebrated today on March 7, are included in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer 1) among a list of early Church martyrs. Most people don’t know their story, but we can all learn from their faith and fortitude.
Saints Perpetua and Felicity were master and servant, but also friends in the early third century in Carthage, North Africa. Perpetua left a diary detailing their arrests for being Christians. The price of their refusal to deny Christ was a death sentence. Their martyrdoms were chronicled by a friend who completed their courageous story following their executions.
After researching their lives for this article, I continue to be impacted by these women. I definitely want to share in their strong faith and commitment to living and dying for their trust in Jesus. How many times will we have the opportunity in our lives to profess such a faith as these two women declared? How can each of us become a witness to the faith in courageous ways this week?
The Martyrdom of Saints Perpetua and Felicity
When they were arrested, Saint Perpetua was the mother of a young son who was still breastfeeding. Saint Felicity was pregnant, which could have saved her since the Roman Empire did not execute pregnant women. Committed to her Lord, Felicity prayed ardently that she would deliver her baby before her execution date. She immediately began labor and gave birth to a baby girl. Both Saint Perpetua’s son and Saint Felicity’s daughter were taken by either Christian friends or family, providing for them following their mothers’ deaths
The women fearlessly entered the arena where they were to be gored to death in front of a bloodthirsty crowd. The executioner insisted that they both put on the garments of pagan priestesses, which they refused. So instead, they were stripped naked, stunning the crowd that had assembled to cheer their deaths. When the crowd saw the two naked women, one who had just given birth and the other who had just breastfed her baby, they insisted that the women be given some sort of covering, which was granted to them. The mad cow was then released into the ring to gore them to death. It failed in its mission, and so they were led off to be beheaded. The killer was a novice, and after first beheading Felicity, when it came to Perpetua, he missed. His second attempt was guided by Saint Perpetua herself, as she led the sword toward its intended purpose.
Even though Saint Perpetua’s father pleaded with her to deny her faith in Jesus, she refused and willingly went forward to her execution as a “true spouse of Christ.” The faith of these two female saints are examples of courage and resolve as they stood firmly for what they believed. At this time in church history, the witness of martyrs sparked tremendous growth, despite Roman persecution.
The early Christians who chose martyrdom inspired others to become Christians and willingly die for their faith, as well. As Tertullian famously observed, “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”
Making a Difference in Someone Else’s Life Requires Courage
Spend time thinking about how these brave women inspire you to live your Christianity more consistently and courageously, especially during those times when it may be easier to deny your faith. Perhaps you have chosen to wear a Cross in a work setting, where doing so is frowned upon or discouraged. A few years ago, while working as a substitute teacher in a public middle school, I removed my Catholic cross from around my neck.
At the end of my first day, I saw someone in the office with a cross around her neck, and I asked, “Can I wear a cross?” The office ladies replied, “Yes, you can wear one, you just can’t talk about it.” I immediately replied, “Oh, I won’t have to talk about it. It will do all the talking for me.” As I continued to substitute teach for three more years, I noticed that everyone looked at my cross and knew exactly what it stood for and, therefore, who I was in Christ.
Our mission as Catholics is to evangelize the world with our lives, no matter where we are. Our very demeanor must show others we belong to Christ. Ask yourself if you have the courage to stand firmly for what you believe, especially if you are in a setting that insists you abandon your values and morals to fit into the culture of the organization. You may never know who will notice your courage and humility and ask you about what you believe.
Do not assume everyone has heard about Jesus. Look for quiet, humble ways you can live out your faith — especially in your workplace — this Lent. This may be your opportunity to change someone’s life forever!
Kate Walsh-Soucheray, Ed.D., M.A. Theology, M.A. Marriage and Family Therapy, LMFT, Emeritus, is a wife of 42 years, a mother of three adult, married children, and grandmother of six beautiful, active grandchildren. She is a former Catholic high school Religion teacher and a former Christian Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Dr. Walsh-Soucheray writes a monthly column for the Catholic Spirit, the Archdiocesan newspaper of Minneapolis and St. Paul, called Simple Holiness. She is now retired and writes and speaks for Catholic women’s groups, Cana Dinners, and leads retreats for Catholic groups about integrating holiness into our everyday lives. Find her daily reflection and encouragement for Catholic women on LinkedIn.