Saint Perpetua
| Saint Perpetua | |
|---|---|
| Saint | Saint Perpetua |
| Stage | Saint |
| Birthdate | c. 182 |
| Birthplace | Carthage, Roman Province of Africa (modern-day Tunisia) |
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| Deathdate | March 7, 203 |
| Death Place | Carthage, Roman Province of Africa |
| Death Coordinates | |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom (beheading after attack by wild animals) |
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| Beatification Date | Not formally beatified |
| Beatified by | |
| Beatification Location | |
| Canonized | Yes (traditional recognition) |
| Canonization Date | Not formally canonized |
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| Feast Day | March 7 |
| Profession | Matrona (noblewoman) |
| Religious Affiliation | Early Christian |
| Patronage | Mothers, expectant mothers, cattle |
| Attributes | Palm of martyrdom, book (representing her diary) |
| Primary Shrine | Basilica Maiorum, Carthage |
| Additional Veneration | |
Saint Perpetua was a young Christian woman martyred in Carthage in the early 3rd century during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Septimius Severus. She is one of the earliest known Christian female martyrs and is notable for her diary, "The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity," which provides one of the few firsthand accounts from an early Christian woman. Married and a new mother, Perpetua chose her faith over her life, refusing to renounce Christianity even when faced with torture and death. Her martyrdom, alongside her slave Felicity and other companions, has been commemorated since ancient times, and her story continues to inspire many.
Biography
Birth
Vibia Perpetua was born around 182 AD in Carthage, which was part of the Roman Province of Africa.
Early Life
She grew up in a prosperous family, was well-educated, and was married with a young child at the time of her arrest.
Occupation
Perpetua was a noblewoman (matrona), indicating her social status rather than a specific profession.
Vocation
Her commitment to Christianity became her defining vocation, leading her to martyrdom rather than recanting her faith.
Death
Perpetua was martyred on March 7, 203, in Carthage, where she was first subjected to wild animals before ultimately being beheaded.
Significant events
- Documented her experiences while imprisoned, providing one of the earliest firsthand accounts of Christian martyrdom.
- Her diary, "The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity," was widely read in early Christian communities, influencing Christian literature and faith.
Death
Perpetua met her end through martyrdom, being attacked by a wild cow and then beheaded in the arena in Carthage.
Canonization
Servant of God
Perpetua was not formally recognized through modern canonization processes; her sainthood is based on traditional veneration and martyrdom.
Venerable
Not applicable as this title is part of the later canonization process not applied to early saints like Perpetua.
Beatification
Not formally beatified; her martyrdom was her beatification in the eyes of the early Christian community.
Canonization
Perpetua was not formally canonized by the Roman Catholic Church's modern procedures but is recognized as a saint due to her martyrdom and the early Church's acclamation.
Miracles
Specific miracles for Perpetua's canonization are not documented since her recognition as a saint was based on martyrdom rather than post-mortem miracles:
Miracle for beatification
Not applicable.
Miracle for canonization
Not applicable.
Other notable miracles
- Her visions, as recorded in her diary, were considered prophetic by some early Christians.
Patronage
Perpetua is the patron saint of mothers, expectant mothers, and cattle, reflecting her maternal status at the time of her martyrdom and her connection to agriculture through her noble background.
Feast day
The feast day of Saint Perpetua is celebrated on March 7.
Veneration
Perpetua is venerated through her writings and the commemoration of her martyrdom. Her relics were kept in the Basilica Maiorum in Carthage, though their current location is uncertain. Her story is remembered in various Christian denominations, especially within the Roman Catholic Church.
Books
Written about the saint
- [The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity - Various translations and editions based on the original Latin text]
Written by the saint
- [The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity - her personal account]
External links
- Catholic Online - Saint Perpetua
- Wikipedia - Perpetua and Felicity
- Catholic Encyclopedia - Sts. Perpetua and Felicitas