Saint Felicity of Carthage
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| Saint Felicity of Carthage | |
| Feast Day | November 25 (joint with Perpetua) |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Mothers; pregnant women; childbirth; widows; Carthage, Tunisia |
| Birthplace | Carthage, Africa Proconsularis, Roman Empire (now Tunisia) |
| Death Place | Carthage, Africa Proconsularis, Roman Empire (now Tunisia) |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom |
| Primary Shrine | Basilica of Damous El Karita, Carthage, Tunisia |
Saint Felicity of Carthage (d. c. AD 203), also known as Felicitas, was a 3rd-century Christian noblewoman and martyr in Carthage, North Africa, venerated as the mother of eight who endured pregnancy and childbirth in prison before execution under Emperor Septimius Severus, symbolizing maternal faith.[1] According to the Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity (c. AD 203–207), an eyewitness account by Tertullian and church records, Felicity, a pregnant slave married to a fellow Christian, was arrested with catechumen Vibia Perpetua and companions during the games for Emperor's birthday; imprisoned in Carthage's amphitheater cells, she gave birth prematurely to a daughter (adopted by Perpetua) before shared torments including prodding by beasts and beheading on March 7, AD 203.[2] Historical evidence confirms the martyrdom as one of the earliest documented, with the Passion—preserved in Latin and Greek—providing authentic details of prison visions and communal support, though some later embellishments exist.[3] As Perpetua's companion, Felicity's pregnancy underscores God's providence in suffering.
Executed AD 203, Felicity's relics were buried in Carthage's basilica, with her cult spreading via Perpetua's text; as an ancient martyr, her recognition occurred through early acclamation, with no formal canonization process, and feast on November 25 (joint with Perpetua and companions).[1] Hagiographic traditions of angelic births or beast refusals derive from medieval expansions rather than the original Passion; patronage of mothers, pregnant women, and childbirth reflects her prison labor.[4] Venerated in Carthage's ruins (UNESCO site) and global churches, Felicity embodies communal martyrdom; her story influenced Augustine's sermons.[5]
Felicity's legacy, directly from the Passion, highlights slave-free solidarity; probabilistic noble status unconfirmed, yet her motherhood authentic.
Biography
Birth
Saint Felicity was born in the late 2nd century AD in Carthage, Africa Proconsularis, Roman Empire (now Tunisia), to a Christian family, possibly of Punic-Roman descent, as inferred from the Passion; exact date unavailable.[1] Baptized in Carthage's community, her infancy coincided with Septimius Severus's rise; married young to Saturus (catechumen convert), mother of eight by martyrdom.[2] As a Carthaginian, early life involved urban trade and faith.
Birth c. AD 180–190 estimated from age ~20 at death.
Early Life
Felicity's early life, per Passion, involved domestic duties and conversion with Saturus; arrested as catechumen c. AD 202–203 during birthday games, imprisoned with Perpetua.[3] No factual youth details, narrative from text emphasizing solidarity; probabilistic slave status aligns with name "Felicitas" (joy/slave).[5] Gave birth in prison to eighth child.
Details eyewitness.
Occupation
Felicity's occupation was as slave and mother in Carthage c. AD 190s–203, household work and child-rearing, inferred from status; no trade mentioned.[1] In prison, communal support.
Domestic central.
Vocation
Felicity's vocation was lay martyrdom; as catechumen, baptized in prison AD 203 with companions, enduring prods and beheading for faith, per Passion; vocation: Maternal witness, praying for child during labor.[2] No diaconate; vocation: Confessor with Perpetua.
Legacy: Prison solidarity.
Death
Felicity died March 7, AD 203, aged ~20–25, in Carthage amphitheater by beast mauling and beheading, after childbirth, per Passion; body buried basilica.[4] Final moments communal; no hagiographic end. Saint Felicity of Carthage met her end through martyrdom in Carthage, mauled and beheaded for the faith.
Significant events
- Converts with Saturus (c. AD 200).
- Arrested as catechumen (c. AD 202–203).
- Baptized in prison (AD 203).
- Gives birth to daughter in prison (late AD 202/early 203).
- Endures beast prodding (March 7, AD 203).
- Martyred by beheading (March 7, AD 203).
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Carthage, Africa Proconsularis, Roman Empire (now Tunisia)
Death location: Carthage, Africa Proconsularis, Roman Empire (now Tunisia)
Notable location: Site of martyrdom and early cult (Basilica of Damous El Karita, Carthage, Tunisia)
Notable location: Western relics and veneration (Church of Saint Felicity, Rome, Italy)
Notable location: Associated North African devotion (Cathedral of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia)
Notable location:
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Shrines
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List of shrines
Basilica of Damous El Karita
Carthage's Basilica of Damous El Karita, a UNESCO archaeological site under Tunisian cultural heritage since the 5th century, serves as the traditional martyrdom shrine for Felicity and Perpetua, qualifying under Canon 1230 principles for historical devotions with commemorative Masses.[1] Pilgrimage details: Carthage, Tunisia; 5th century; notable for November 25 feasts; Tunisian Catholic community. Fact: Site of their arena, symbolizing North African witness.
Church of Saints Perpetua and Felicity, Rome
Rome's Church of Saints Perpetua and Felicity, a titular under the Diocese of Rome since the 17th century, meets Canon 1230 with relic fragments and maternal novenas.[2] Pilgrimage details: Via del Velabro 4, 00186 Rome, Italy; baroque; annual November vigils; Diocese of Rome. Fact: Western cult site, joint veneration.
Carthage Amphitheater Site
Carthage's amphitheater ruins, devotional locus by Tunisian diocese for group martyrdom under Canon 1230 through tours.[3] Pilgrimage details: Near basilica, Carthage, Tunisia; AD 203; December reflections; Tunisian Catholic. Fact: Execution arena, linking to beasts.
Canonization
Servant of God
As a 3rd-century martyr, Felicity's recognition as Servant of God occurred through immediate Carthaginian cultus, with 4th-century veneration implying heroic virtue via Passion, predating processes.[1] Centered at arena, acclaim affirmed motherhood.
Early African recognition focused on prison.
Venerable
Venerated as Venerable from late 3rd century through episcopal approvals, with virtue promoted by Carthage bishops based on text, without papal pre-Nicene.[2] Cultus spread via Tertullian.
No decree; organic to Church.
Beatification
Beatification via acclamation; by 4th century, martyrologies inclusion permitted veneration as Blessed, based on attested death without miracle.[5] This extended to Roman feasts.
Honor emphasized birth.
Canonization
Felicity's canonization through universal acceptance by 4th century, with martyrological proclamation and basilica ties; no second miracle needed for mothers.[1] Feast November 25.
Enshrined communal legacy.
Miracles
For ancient martyrs like Felicity, canonization relied on shared witness; no specific prodigies recorded in Passion, though traditions note graces.[4] Devotional accounts emphasize labor.
Miracle for beatification
No required; 4th-century cultus based on traditional tomb healings like childbirth aids, sufficient per praxis.[1] Unverified labor aligned.
Focus on prison birth.
Miracle for canonization
No second; acceptance by 4th century affirmed via text, without investigation.[2] Medieval claims supported.
Pre-formal norms.
Other notable miracles
- Angelic adoption of child, traditional.
- Posthumous maternal protections, devotional.
- None authenticated.
Patronage
Saint Felicity of Carthage is the patron saint of mothers, pregnant women, childbirth, widows, and Carthage, Tunisia.[5] These reflect her prison motherhood.
Feast day
November 25
Veneration
Saint Felicity of Carthage is venerated on November 25 through martyr feasts, novenas for safe delivery, and pilgrimages to Carthage basilica.[1] Relics traditions focal.
Depicted with infant and palm, as in Tunisian icons. Literature like Passion inspires. Shrines foster family faith.
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
- No known writings; diary fragment in Passion.
External links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 "Sts. Felicity and Perpetua". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06033a.htm.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Felicity of Carthage". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felicity_of_Carthage.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Saint Felicity". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Felicity.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "St. Felicity". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=108.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Saint Perpetua and Felicity". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-perpetua-and-felicity.
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