I suckled my child, which was now enfeebled with hunger.
Passion of Perpetua and Felicity, chapter 1, §§1–2 (standard Passion §§2–3)
The ancient Passion of Perpetua and Felicity preserves a first-person account of Perpetua’s imprisonment. Its editor introduces her as the mother of an infant. In the prison narrative, she describes darkness, discomfort and intense anxiety for her child. These details belong to the transmitted account itself; they allow us to see maternal concern within the witness of a martyr. Passion of Perpetua and Felicity, chapter 1, §§1–2 (standard Passion §§2–3)
Perpetua recalls nursing her hungry baby, speaking to her mother and entrusting her son to her family’s care. She later obtained permission for him to remain with her, and describes relief from her anxiety. Her confession of Christ did not erase attention to the child’s hunger or the need to arrange care. The account gives us both fidelity and tenderness in the same person. Passion of Perpetua and Felicity, chapter 1, §§1–2 (standard Passion §§2–3)
Christ calls His disciples to confess Him even when fidelity brings painful divisions within a family. The passage in Matthew names a costly allegiance to Him. Read beside Perpetua’s account, it keeps the reason for her imprisonment visible while allowing her concern for her son to remain fully human. Her testimony is not a command to neglect dependent children. Matthew 10:32-39
Scripture also speaks directly about provision for one’s household. The two responsibilities must be read together, rather than making the language of discipleship an excuse for indifference. Perpetua sought care for the child in the circumstances she faced. Her story therefore asks us to consider how concrete love may continue amid constraints we did not choose. 1 Timothy 5:8
A parent who feels torn between anxiety and prayer can linger over that detail: she cared for the hungry child. The care did not need to become less tender in order to belong to faith. Her story invites remembrance of Christ together with attention to the actual person entrusted to us. Its difficult ending should keep us from turning a martyr’s witness into a promise of an easy resolution. Passion of Perpetua and Felicity, chapter 1, §§1–2 (standard Passion §§2–3)
For prayer, use the Lord’s Prayer given by Christ in Matthew 6:9–13.
Sources and edition notes
- Passion of Perpetua and Felicity. Translated by R.E. Wallis. From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 3. Edited by Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1885.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0324.htm.
Scripture references link to these comparison editions: NKJV. Biblical passages are paraphrased. Biblical language within a patristic quotation follows the identified historical English translation.