Felicitas

“Felicitas had feared that she might not be allowed to suffer with the rest because pregnant women were not sent into the arena. However, she gave birth in the prison to a daughter whom one of their fellow Christians at once adopted. Pudens, their jailer, was by this time a convert, and did all he could for them. The day before the games they were given the usual last meal, which was called “the free banquet.” The martyrs strove to make it an <Agape> or Love Feast, and to those who crowded around them they spoke of the judgments of God and of their own joy in their sufferings. Such calm courage and confidence astonished the pagans and brought about many conversions.”

Reflection: Felicitas was pregnant, and was in jail for living out her calling.  But her fear was not about her death, nor was it about her unborn child.  What concerned her the most was that she was not going be allowed to suffer for the Lord with the rest of her colleagues, because she was pregnant.  However, when she gave birth she was allowed to join them in their suffering. In fact, even though Felicitas and her companions were imprisoned, they were overflowing with so much joy and love for the Lord that many around them were converted.  It was their faith in the Lord that allowed them to have such calm courage and confidence that brought salvation to others.

Response:  Let’s pray that we will be more concerned about God’s kingdom than the things in our own lives.  May God use us to bring salvation to those around us.

Source: Saints Perpetua, Felicitas, and Companions — Martyrs — 203