Be a Saint of Mercy: Visit the Sick and Imprisoned...like Saints Perpetua and Felicity!

The story of young Perpetua and her companion, Felicity, stands out amongst the many legendary stories of martyrdom in the early Church.  Their story is worth our time and reflection this month, as we ponder our Christian call to visit the sick and imprisoned in our world.

Perpetua was a newly-married, catechumen, noblewoman in Carthage (Northern Africa), who lived during the tumultuous Christian persecutions of the 200's. Her mother, a Christian, encouraged her daughter to privately nurture her faith, while her father, a pagan, pleaded with his daughter to publicly denounce her faith.  Both parents quickly learned of the great depth of their young daughter's love for Jesus Christ, especially as the persecution of Emperor Septimius Severus took place!

As Perpetua's personal diary describes...Perpetua (having recently become a new mother with her first child), her pregnant servant, Felicity, and three other Christian companions, were rounded-up and threatened with imprisonment and death if they didn't denounce their christian beliefs.  To which Perpetua replied, "Do you see this vessel, this water pot?  Can it be called by any other name than what it is?  So also I cannot call myself by any other name than what I am, a Christian!"

For their courageous refusal to denounce their faith, the group was imprisoned until their public execution could take place in the amphitheater.

Perpetua's diary contains a glimpse into her imprisonment:
"What a day of horror!  Terrible heat, owing to the crowds! Rough treatment by the soldiers!  To crown all, I was tormented with anxiety for my baby.  Such anxiety I suffered for many days..."

A Roman law at the time outlawed the execution of a woman while she was pregnant, so it was Perpetua's servant girl, Felicity, whom allowed the group to remain a little longer in prison.  this was a good thing, as the prolonged imprisonment gave the young group of Catechumens the opportunity to be officially baptized and to boldly call themselves Christians before entering the amphitheater!

Young Felicity bravely cried out as she gave birth to her baby girl in the night before the group's execution.  She knew full well the suffering that she was passing onto her child, an uncertain life without her birth mother.  Yet, great joy fell upon Felicity as she learned that her newly born daughter was adopted by a fellow Christian believer!

And so it was, the soon-to-be martyrs joyfully entered the amphitheater, as though they were on their way to heaven.  Welcomed by a jeering crowd, Perpetua and Felicity were beheaded, while their Christian companions were fed to wild beasts.  For their courage and example, these young martyrs are now mentioned in the first Eucharist Prayer of the Mass.

As we reflect on the amazing story of Perpetua, Felicity, and their Companions this month, I encourage you all to read more from Perpetua's diary here:

http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/PERPETUA.htm

The story of Perpetua and Felicity reminds us of the humanity of all those who are imprisoned.  Regardless of their story, all humans should be the object of our respect and deserve to be treated with great dignity.

As our Year of Mercy draws to a close next month, we continue to reflect on our Christian call to live the Works of Mercy in bold and courageous ways.  As Catholics, we are blessed to have the holy lives of saints to show us the way to an elevated call to holy living.  We are not being called to simply do nice things for those in need...rather we are called to transform the lives of those around us-to carry the joy of Christ to all those we encounter-especially the sick and the imprisoned!

Thank you God for the example of the saints!

Saints Perpetua and Felicity...Pray for us!

Guest Blogger
Joe Tallman
SPX Middle School Religion Teacher

October's Works of Mercy: Visit the Sick and Imprisoned

Our focused Acts of Mercy this month are “visit the sick” and “visit the imprisoned.”  You might wonder why we have these two together.  How is it possible that these two are related?  In all honesty, if we look beyond the words, we can and do see a deep connection. 

This month’s Works of Mercy are challenging to say the least.  First of all, these Works demand effort and commitment on our part.  We must clearly make a decision to do these Works.  Secondly, these Works move us outside our comfort zones entirely; there is no easy way to visit the sick or the imprisoned.  And, these Works make us confront our own illnesses and prisons.

Let us look a little closer at Visiting the Sick.  

Going to a hospital or care facility can be disturbing.  There are sights, sounds and smells in those places that are not part of our regular environment.  We may encounter people connected to machines by tubes and wires.  The machines may make sounds; beeps, whirls, pumping noises, alarm type sounds.  There may be monitors with lights flashing, lines traveling across a screen monitoring heart beats, body temperatures, and respiration rates.  We may smell antiseptic and disinfectant everywhere.  The smell of alcohol from hand sanitizer may be wafting through the halls, blending with a variety of foods and drinks that are being delivered to patients’ rooms.  And, we may see and hear our friends and loved ones in pain or discomfort; perhaps they are confused or disoriented.  Maybe they are unable to respond to our presence; perhaps they do not even know we are there.  Human touch is encouraged.  So there may be lots of handholding, maybe brushing hair out of the face.  Maybe rubbing a back, or just sitting still with a hand on an arm.

What about visiting a prison or jail?

Visiting someone we care about in a prison or jail is also unsettling.  Again, there are sights and sounds, and smells that we are not familiar with.  Antiseptic and disinfectant are clearly present to our noses.  The sounds we hear are different; loud buzzers and bells, whistles, rattling cell doors, clanging bullet and riot proof glass doors abound.  We encounter guards everywhere, armed with clubs, and weapons.  The visiting room is starkly furnished; probably with stainless steel furniture that is bolted to the floor.  There may be a vending machine where soda and snacks can be purchased.  Before getting that far, your personal affects will be stored in a locker and you will be limited to the amount of money you can take with you; change only for the vending machines.  Human touch is limited; if you are allowed to see the person face to face, person to person, a handshake or a hug may be ok, but you might be visiting by looking at each other through a Plexiglas window and use a telephone to talk back and forth with.

In either place there is a loneliness that sets in.  The regularity of human interaction is lacking; conversations about things that matter to the person are limited.  Social outlets are non-existent.  A new routine develops…set times for sleep and waking, for eating and recreating, for bathing and exercise.

In both places one is left to their own thoughts and ponderings, memories, and perhaps regrets.  Maybe their time is used for prayer; for connecting with God.  

As we visit the sick and imprisoned, we may indeed find ourselves identifying our own shortcomings and sinfulness; those things that keep our spirits sick and confined.  Would we not want people to be there for us? Would we not want to know that someone else cared about our wellbeing? Would we not long to see another human being; to feel the gentle touch of someone in our darkest hour, in our loneliest moments? 

Our task, our challenge in visiting with the sick and imprisoned is to be agents of hope and love, messengers of care and compassion, people of tenderness and mercy.  In our actions and words, we are to be the face of God for those who may not remember nor even know God.   What was it Jesus said, “…as often as you do this for one of these least ones, you do it for me…”  (Matthew 25:40)

Dr. Cheryl Fournier
Pastoral Associate for Life-Long Faith Formation
SPX