1

The Passion of Perpetual and Happiness

I
1. If the angels are examples of faith, which attest to the grace of God and lead to the edification of man,
they were put in writing, so that their reading, as if evoking the past, would honor God
and comfort the man, why not record new testimonies, equally suitable to
both ends?
Now, such examples will one day be themselves ancient and useful to those who will come, although they are
today considered to have lesser authority due to an assumed veneration of the past.

Moreover, those who judge according to the times little matter the univocal power of also
unique Espírito Santo, when in truth the most recent testimonies, for being the
lastly, they should be regarded as of utmost importance, according to the profusion of grace fixed for
the end of times.

4. Indeed, says the Lord: 'In the last days, I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh;
your sons and daughters will prophesy; I will pour out My Spirit on My servants and handmaidens; the
young people will have visions; and the old, dreams.

5. Therefore, we too, who recognize and honor the new prophecies and visions that we
also promoted, we applied the other powers of the Holy Spirit for instruction
from the ecclesiastical community, to which the same Spirit was sent to repair all its
thanks among all, as the Lord distributes to each one. Likewise, we are compelled, to
the glory of God, to record [such examples] and celebrate them through reading, in order that the
Do not think that divine grace – whether by the gift of marriage or despair in faith
for the revelations - it was reserved only for the most ancient, for God always fulfills
what was promised, providing testimonies to the unbelievers and blessings to the faithful.

6. And thus, what we have heard, seen, and touched, we announce to you, brothers and children, so that
those who were present remember the glory of God; and so that those who hear now
this testimony is shared with the holy martyrs and, through them, with Our Lord
Jesus Christ, glorious and honored for centuries of centuries. Amen.

II

1. Some young catechumens were arrested: Revocato and Felicity, his companion of
servitude, Saturninus and Secundulus. Among them was also Vibia Perpetua, a woman of origin
noble, privileged education and honorably married,
2. that I have a father, mother, and two brothers - one of them is also a catechumen - in addition to a baby still
in the breastfeeding phase.

3. Víbia is about twenty-two years old. From here on, she herself narrated, in her own words.
Heed and according to your opinion, all the events of your marriage.

III

Here is your account: When we were still under surveillance and my father wished with his words
that I abandon my faith, insisting that I renounce it in the name of his affection, I ...
I asked: "Father, are you seeing, for example, this vase that is here, a small jar or the
What do you want it to be?” He replied: “I see.”

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2. Then I said to him, 'Can he be called by a name different from what he is?' And he said, 'No.'
Well, I also cannot claim to be anything other than what I am, a Christian.

3. Then my father, irritated with such words, launched himself at me to tear out my eyes.
However, it only managed to hurt me and ended up stopping, defeated by the arguments of
Devil.

In the few days I was free from him, I thanked the Lord and recovered with His
absence.

In the meantime, we were silenced, and the Holy Spirit advised me not to seek in the water.
[ba smal] nothing, except to endure bodily suffering. A few days later, we were taken to the
dungeons. I was terrified, because I had never known such darkness.

6. Oh, hard day! The heat was suffocating due to the crowd; the soldiers were extorting us.
I was tormented by the worry for my baby in that place.

7. Then Tertius and Pomponius, the blessed deacons who took care of us, managed, thanks to
a bribe, that we be taken, for a few hours, to a better location in the prison,
to recover ourselves.

8. Upon leaving the dungeon, while everyone was busy with their own tasks, I was breastfeeding.
my baby, already weak from hunger; worried about him, I talked to my mother and comforted my
brother, entrusting them with the child; it consumed me with sadness to see them the same way for my
cause.

I endured such concerns for many days, managing to keep my baby safe.
with me in prison. Soon I recovered and, relieved from the suffering and the worry about my
Son, the prison suddenly became a palace for me, I preferred to be there rather than stay
anywhere else.

IV

Then my brother said to me: 'Lady, my sister, you enjoy such respect from
God, that if one asks for a vision, it will be revealed whether we will be martyred or liberated.

And I, who knew I could talk to the Lord, whose enormous blessings I had experienced,
promised confidently, saying: "Tomorrow I will tell you." And I asked [for a vision], and it was revealed to me the
next:

3. I see a bronze ladder, astonishingly high, reaching the sky. It was narrow; only
one person at a time could climb up it; on its sides, there were all sorts of scourges. There,
swords, spears, hooks, cleavers, and poles were distributed in such a way that, if someone
if you were inattentive or did not look up, you would be mauled, and your body would remain trapped in the
flagelos.

At the foot of the stairs, a gigantic serpent lay, preparing ambushes for those who
they would rise and terrorize them so that they wouldn't do it.

5. The first to ascend was Sá ro, who later voluntarily surrendered for us, for he had been
our master was not present when we were arrested.

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6. When he reached the top of the stairs, he turned to me and said, 'Perpetual, I am waiting for you; but
be careful that the snake does not bite you." And I said to her: "In the name of Jesus Christ, it
it will not harm me.

7. As if afraid of me, the serpent hesitantly raised its head from under the staircase. And
just as if I stepped on the first step, I stepped on his head and went up.

I then saw a vast garden and, sitting in the middle of it, a large man with white hair.
shepherd's robe, who was milking the sheep; around him, there were many thousands of people
dressed in white.

He lifted his head, looked at me and said, 'Welcome, my child.' He called me

to me and gave me a portion of the cheese [produced with the milk] from the milking. With my hands
together, I received the food and ate. And everyone around said: 'Amen'.

10. Then I awoke to the sound of those voices, still feeling something sweet in my mouth. Immediately
I told my brother about the vision. In this way, we understood that we would receive the marriage and
we lost hope in this life.

A few days later, the rumor circulated that we would be interrogated. Overcome with sadness, my
Father came back from the city and came to me, to make me renounce my faith. He said:

2. "Daughter, have mercy on my white hair; have mercy on your father, if I am worthy.
to be called that by you. If with these hands I created her until the flower of age, if I preferred you to
All your brothers, do not deliver me to the reproach of men.
Think of your siblings, think of your mother and your father, think of your son, who will not survive.
without you.

4. Do not be proud; do not destroy us all. Well, none of us will be able to speak without restriction,
"if you are punished!"

5. As a father, he said such words out of compassion, kissing my hands, throwing himself at my
feet and crying. She no longer called me daughter, but madam.

It pained me to see my father's misfortune, for he alone of my entire family was unhappy with
my husband. I then consoled him, saying: "What God wants will happen on that dais."
Know that we will no longer be in our hands, but in God's hands.” And he, anguished, left me.

VI
On another occasion, while we were eating, we were abruptly taken to the hearing. Upon our arrival
To the forum, the news spread quickly around the area, and a large crowd formed.

2. We got on the pedestal. Questioned, the others confessed [their faith]. It was my turn.
Father appeared with my son, pulled me from the steps and said: 'Make the offering! Have mercy on
your baby!

3. Then, Hilariano, the prosecutor who at that time held the position of supreme judge in place of
After procurator Minucius Timinian spoke: 'Spare your father's white hair! Spare your
child! Offer a sacrifice to the health of the emperors!
4. And I answered: "I will not do it." And Hilariano asked: "Are you a Christian?" To which I said: "I am."

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5. Seeing that my father continued trying to dissuade me, Hilariano ordered that he be thrown out.
to the ground and battered with a stick. It hurt me [to observe] her misfortune, as if I myself had
was beaten; her deplorable old age pained me.

6. Hilariano then pronounces the sentence on all of us, condemning us to the beasts. And so,
we joyfully descended to the dungeon.

7. As my child was used to breastfeeding from my breast in prison, I quickly send

Pompônio to my father, to ask for her back.
8. But my father didn't want to return it. By the will of God, however, my baby didn't want it anymore.
My breasts didn't stay swollen, and thus, they no longer tormented me.
concern for my son or the pain in my breasts.

VII

Few days later while everyone was praying, a voice suddenly came to me in the midst of
prayer, and then I spoke the name of Dinocrates. I was perplexed, for he had never come to me before.
I feel sorry remembering your misfortune.

2. However, I understood, by this sign, that I deserved God's grace and should pray for it.
I then began to pray intensely, lamenting to the Lord.

3. After that, that same night, I had this revelation:

4. I see Dinocrates coming out of a dark stop where there were many others; he looked very pale.
heat and thirst; his face was dirty; his complexion, pale; he had a wound on his face, the same one as when
will die.

Dinocrates was my blood brother. At the age of seven, he died ill with cancer.
face. The way he died provoked the revolt of everyone.

I would pray for him. A great distance separated us, preventing us from getting closer.

7. Where Dinocrates was, there was a tank full of water, whose edge was higher than the
boy. Dinocrates was being written as if to drink.

I signal sadness, as the tank had water, but its height did not allow Dinocrates
drunkenness.

9. Then I woke up and knew that my brother was suffering. However, I had hope that I could help.
I prayed for him every day until we went to a military prison, because
we would fight in the games. It was Geta Caesar's birthday.

10. I was praying for Dinocrates day and night. I lamented and wept, to obtain [his salvation].

VIII

One day when we were trapped, the following was revealed to me: I see the place that before
he would observe; Dinocrates, however, was clean, well-dressed and joyful. Where there was the wound, I see
a scar;
2. the tank that I had seen was now touching the boy's navel; Dinocrates was giving him water without
cease.

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3. On the edge, there was a golden cup full of water. Dinocrates approached and
started to drink. The glass never emptied.

Satiated, he began to play with the water, joyful like a child. Then I woke up. I knew
as soon as my brother was released from his sentence.

IX
A few days later, Pudêncio, the senior officer in charge of the prison, began to hold us in high regard.
It's a shame, because you will notice a great fearlessness in us. May many visit us, so that
that we comforted each other.

2. However, with the arrival of the games, my father came to me and, filled with sadness, began
to pluck his own beard and throw it to the ground. He prostrated himself before me, cursing his
years and uttering words that would have moved all of creation.

It hurt me to see your sad old age

X
1. On the eve of our battle, I had the following vision: Pomponius, the deacon, had come to the door of the
prison and hit hard.

I went up to him and opened it. Pomponius was wearing a white tunic and elaborate sandals.
3. He said to me: 'Perpetual, we are waiting for you. Come.' He took me by the hand, and we began to
to cross a difficult and winding path.

Finally, with difficulty, we arrived breathless at the amphitheater, and Pomponius led me to the
center of the arena. He said: 'Don't be afraid. I am here with you. We will suffer together.' And if
dismissed.

5. I then behold a gigantic euphoric crowd. I wondered why the beasts were not
launched against me, for I knew what my punishment was.
6. Then, a repulsive Egyptian appeared with his minions, for us to fight. At the same time, beautiful
young people come to me as my helpers and intercessors.

First, I was stripped; then, they made me a man; next, my protectors began
to anoint me with oil, as is customary in battles. On the other side, I see the Egyptian rolling in
dust.

8. At that moment, behold, a gigantic man appeared, whose size was so astonishing that
he surpassed the height of the amphitheater. He wore a tunic with two purple stripes that descended on him
through the middle of the chest. On his feet, he wore sandals made of gold and silver. Like a master
of gladiators, carried a staff in one hand, holding in the other a green branch,
where golden apples hung.
He asked for silence and said: 'If this Egyptian defeats the woman, he will kill her with the sword. If
defeat him, she will receive this branch.” And she stepped back.

10. Thus, the Egyptian and I faced off against each other and began to exchange blows. He wanted to
grab my feet, but I kicked your face.

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I was lifted into the air and began to strike him without touching the ground. When I realized that the Egyptian
I hesitated, joined my hands and, intertwining my fingers, grabbed his head. And so, he fell.
face in the arena, and I stepped on your face.

12. A crowd started to scream; my intercessors, singing hymns. I then approached the
master of the gladiators and I asked him for the branch.

13. He kissed me and said, 'Daughter, may peace be with you.' And I began to walk triumphantly to the Gate.
Sanavivaria.
14. Then I woke up. Thus, I understood that I would fight not against beasts, but against the Devil. But
I knew I would come out victorious.

15. All of this was what I did until the eve of the games. As for the games themselves, if anyone wants, let them
write.

XI - The vision of Sá ro

1. The blessed Sá ro also reported his vision, which he left in writing. Here is his account:

2. After we suffered the martyrdom, we stopped from our bodies. We were taken to the East by
four angels, whose hands did not touch us.

3. We did not ascend backwards to the sky, but we rose up facing it as if by a gentle
slope.
4. And thus, freed from this world, we saw a very strong light, and I said to Perpetua, who was beside me
my side: “It is what the Lord has promised us. We received His promise.”

5. Carried by the four angels, behold, a vast halt appeared before us.
Similar to a garden, it had rose bushes and flowers of all kinds.

The height of its trees was like that of the cypress, and its leaves fell without cease.

In that garden, there were four angels, more radiant than the others. When they saw us, they made
honors and, with admiration, said to the angels: 'They are here! They are here!'. Fearful, the four
angels who took us put us on the ground.

8. Then we crossed the garden on our own feet along a wide path.

There we found Jocundo, Saturnino, and Artáxio, who were burned alive in the same
persecution; and also Quinto, he himself a martyr, dead in prison. We were asking them
where the others were.

10. The angels answered us: 'Instead, come closer, enter, and greet the Lord.'

XII

1. And so, we approached a chamber whose walls seemed made of light. Before the
At the entrance, four angels stood there, dressed in white stoles.

2. When we entered, we heard voices in unison saying non-stop: 'Holy! Holy! Holy!'.

3. And we saw sitting in that place what seemed to be an old man who, although he had hair
Whites, he had a youthful appearance. We could not see the man's feet.

To his right and left were four elders, and behind them many more.

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5. As we entered, we stood in awe before the throne. Four angels then lifted us up,
and we kissed Him, and with His hand He caressed our faces.

6. The other elders said, 'Let us stand up.' And we stood up and gave the kiss of peace.
Then they told us: "Go and play."

7. And I said to Perpetua: 'You got what you wished for.' She replied: 'I thank God, for,
just as I was happy in life, I am even happier now here.

XIII
When we left, we saw to the right of the entrance Bishop Optatus and to the left the presbyter and mentor.
Aspásio, separated and bitter.

2. Both fell at our feet and said: "Reconcile us, for you have gone and left us
they left it in this state.

3. So we said to them: 'Are you not our father [in Christ], and you our presbyter? How
Can they throw themselves at our feet? We were moved and we hugged them.

4. Perpetua began to speak to them in Greek, while we retreated under a

rose bush

5. During the conversation, the angels spoke to the two: "Let them rest. If there is any
misunderstanding between you, forgive each other.
6. And having troubled them, they said to Optatus: 'Reprimand your faithful, for they gather around him.'
as if they were coming from the races and discussing their participants.

Then, we had the impression that they wanted to close the doors. We began to
to recognize many of our brothers there, beyond martyrs. A fragrance nourished us
indescribable that satisfied us. Then, happily, I woke up.

XIV

1. These are the very glorious visions of the most blessed martyrs Sácro and Perpétua,
according to what they themselves wrote.

2. As for Secundulus, God called him earlier from this world while he was still in prison,
granting him the grace to escape from the beasts.

3. Even so, although not your soul, certainly your body knew the sword.

XV

As for Happiness, it too has been touched by the grace of the Lord.

In the eighth month of pregnancy – for she was pregnant when she was arrested – Felicidade found herself
so immersed in great sadness with the imminence of the games, fearing that the pregnancy would be delayed.
[your husband] - since it was not allowed to punish pregnant women - and that, for this reason, her blood
sacred and innocent would be poured out later among criminals.

3. Furthermore, his fellow martyrs were deeply dismayed at having to abandon

a friend so good, a colleague, alone on the path of hope.
4. Thus, in a unified lamentation from all, they prayed to the Lord two days before the games.

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5. Immediately Happiness without the pains of childbirth. One of the guards, seeing her suffering
upon giving birth in the eighth month, I said to her: 'If you suffer so much now, what will you do when thrown into the'
"beasts that you scorned, when you refused to offer the sacrifice?"

6. And she replied: "Now, I am the one who suffers my pains; but there will be another within me,
And He will suffer for me, for I will suffer for Him.

And she gave birth to a girl, who was raised by a sister [in Christ], as if she were her own.
daughter.

XVI

1. Because the Holy Spirit allowed it and, in doing so, wanted what happened to be recorded.
games, we follow the prescription, or rather, the determination of the most holy Perpetua, including a
testimony about your tenacity and greatness of spirit, although unworthy to add
something to such glorious words.

2. When the tribune began to punish them with greater severity, fearing, under the advice of
very disloyal men, who escaped from prison with sorcery, Perpetua replied face to
face

3. "Why don't you allow us to recover; we, the noblest condemned of Caesar,
What will we fight on your birthday? Wouldn't it be honorable for you if you present us well?
fed?

4. The tribune was surprised and blushed. And so, he ordered that they be treated with more
civility, allowing Perpetua's brothers - and others - to visit them and
comfort together. At that moment, our signal had already converted.

XVII

1. During the last meal, on the eve of the games - a meal that, although it was called
public banquet, it was for them a gathering – they shouted to the crowd with the usual
firmness, threatening her with the judgment of God, reaffirming the blessedness of her marriage and
mocking the curiosity of the crowd. Sá ro said:

2. "Is tomorrow not enough for you? Why do you enjoy observing what you hate?"
Today's friends are tomorrow's enemies. But remember our faces well, so that we
recognize in the future.

And so, everyone stopped stunned and many of them converted.

Eighteen
The day of his victory has dawned. They advanced from the prison to the amphitheater, as if they were going to heaven;
joyful, the glorious faces. If they trembled, it was with joy and not fear.

Perpetua came behind with a radiant face and calm step, like the wife of Christ and the beloved.
of God. The power of his gaze made everyone turn away their faces.

3. The same happened with Happiness, joyful for having given birth safely, thus,
fight the beasts; [ia] from blood to blood, from the midwife to the gladiator, about to wash after the
I give birth, in this second bass.

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4. And when they were taken to the entrance [of the amphitheater] and forced to put on garments – the men, of
priests of Saturn; the women, of priestesses of Ceres – that noble [woman] resisted
with firmness until the end,

5. saying: 'We came here voluntarily, so that our freedom would not be curtailed!'
We gave our lives so that we would not have to do something like this! Such was our agreement!

6. Thus, injustice recognized justice, and the tribune allowed them to present such
how they were.
7. Perpetua began to sing hymns, already trampling on the head of the Egyptian. Revocatus, Saturninus, and Saturus
they made threats to the spectators;

8. And when they passed under Hilariano's gaze, they began to speak to him with gestures and nods:
You judged us, but God will judge you!

9. Irritated by the attitude, the people demanded to be whipped by a line of

gladiators. And thus, the martyrs rejoiced very much, for they had compared a little
of the Passion of the Lord.

Nineteen

But He, who said: 'Ask and you shall receive,' gave each supplicant the desired death.

2. Now, whenever they talked about the promise to get engaged, Saturnino confessed that
I wanted to be thrown to all the beasts, in order to bear the very glorious crown.

3. Thus, at the beginning of the show, he and Revocato, after fighting with a leopard, were
drowning on the gallows also by a bear.

4. As for Sá ro, although no other animal caused him more fear than this, [the martyr]
he believed he would be killed by a single bite from the leopard.
5. Being, however, handed over to a wild boar, it was the gladiator who had captured him that was responsible for the beast – and not him – that

he would be pierced by the animal, dying a few days later. Sá ro was only dragged.
Finally, trapped on the platform waiting for the bear, he did not want to leave the cage. And thus, Sá ro was
unharmed for the second time.

XX

However, for the young women, the Devil prepared a fierce cow - something contrary to custom.
, matching the sex of the beast with that of women.

They were brought forward bare and covered with nets. The people trembled before both:
the first, a graceful young woman; the other, recently pregnant, her breasts still lactating.

3. Then the calls back, they saw them with tunics. Perpetua was the first to be struck,
falling backward.
4. As he sat down, he pulled the robe, torn at the side, to cover his thigh, thinking more about his
honor of what in pain.

Then she looked for a hairpin and pinned up her disheveled hair: it was not proper.
to a martyr suffer from disheveled hair, so that she would not seem to be suffering in the midst of
glory.

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He then got up and, when he saw Happiness prostrated, he went to her, extended his hand and
he/she/it rose.

7. Together they stood up side by side. Thus, they overcame the harshness of the people and were
callbacks to the Sanavivaria Gate.

8. Perpetua was supported by a catechumen named Rusticus, who stood by her side. As
what a start from sleep – such was her state of ecstasy and stupor – she began to look into
she exclaimed, to everyone's astonishment: “When will we be taken to the [fierce] cow?”

9. Upon hearing that it had already happened, he only believed it when he examined the signs of violence.
on the body and on the clothing.

10. Then he turned to the brother, who had been called, as well as to the catechumen, saying:
Stay firm in the faith and love one another! Do not waver before our adversary!

XXI

1. In another entry, Sá ro urged the soldier Pudêncio with these words: 'Just as I
I imagined and even predicted, no beast has touched me yet. Believe with all your heart.
Now. Behold, I will go there and be killed with a single bite from the leopard.
2. And, right at the end of the show, such a beast was launched against Sá ro, and so much blood gushed from a
the only bite from the animal, that the people, witnesses of that second barbarism, would have shouted at him
while it was being removed: "Is it with a washed soul! Is it with a washed soul!"

In any case, the soul of whoever washed themselves in this way was indeed saved.

4. Sá ro then spoke to the soldier Pudêncio: "Goodbye. Remember the faith and me. May these
events do not disturb him, but strengthen [his faith].
5. At the same time, he asked for the ring that Pudêncio had on his finger and, placing it on the wound,
he returned it to him as inheritance. He left it as a symbol and memory of his blood.

And then, already unconscious, he was thrown into the usual place to be beheaded with the others.
7. The people, however, demanded that they be brought to the center [of the arena], so that they could see with their own
own eyes, accomplices of that homicide, the sword penetrate the bodies of the martyrs.
Spontaneously, the injured stood up and headed to the place desired by the people. They had already
kissed, in order to consummate the marriage with the rite of peace.

8. They received the sword motionless and in silence: especially, Sá ro, the first to rise.
stairs, the first to give up his life. He was waiting for Perpetua.

To lessen a bit of the pain, Perpétua, pierced between the bones, let out a scream and guided the
hesitant right of the inexperienced gladiator to his throat.

10. Is it possible that a woman so precious, feared by the Unclean Spirit, could not be
dead, except by own will.

11. O, very valiant and blessed martyrs! O, truly called and chosen
to the glory of Our Lord Jesus Christ! All who rejoice in, honor, and venerate Him must certainly
reading these examples is no less important than the older ones for the edification of the Church, for
that the most recent displays of courage attest that the Holy Spirit, one and always the same,

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still operates; just like God, Almighty Father, and His Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ,
glorious and of infinite power for centuries of centuries. Amen.

Source: FÁVARO, Aline Montesine; NÁPOLI, Tiago Augusto; LIMA, Ricardo da Cunha (2019). “A
The Passion of Saint Perpetua and Saint Felicity
Annotated translation. RÓNAI: Journal of Classical and Translational Studies, v.7 n.2, p. 47-62.

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