Calendar

FELICITAS OF ROME
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24
Matthew 10:24-42

Matthew 12:47-50

 

“…whosoever shall do the will

of my Father which is in heaven…”

 

FELICITAS OF ROME
 
Felicitas of Rome, a wealthy widow, is remembered as one of the most courageous women martyrs of the early church. She was arrested along with her seven sons (Januarius, Felix, Philip, Silvanus, Alexander, Vitalius and Marcial) during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Boldly confessing Christ before the emperor and civil authorities, she was accused by pagan priests of insulting the gods by spreading Christianity.
 
The Prefect Publius sought to persuade her to renounce her faith for the sake of her children, saying: “Take pity on your children, Felicitas: they are in the bloom of youth and may aspire to greater honours and preferments.” Felicitas replied: “Your pity is really impiety, and the compassion to which you exhort me would make me the most cruel of mothers.” Turning to her sons, she exhorted them: “My sons, look up to heaven where Jesus Christ with His saints expects you. Be faithful in His love, and fight courageously for your souls.”
 
One by one, her sons were tortured and executed before her eyes. Felicitas prayed that they would remain stedfast and enter the heavenly Kingdom before her. Finally, she herself was condemned and martyred, following her sons in death for Christ. Their witness, preserved in tradition and mentioned by Saint Gregory the Great, stands as a powerful testimony of faith and love.
 
Felicitas reminds us that true devotion to Christ surpasses even the deepest earthly ties. Her love for the Lord was greater than her love for her family, and in that love she found strength to encourage her children to die faithfully for Christ. Her story is a living echo of Jesus’ words: “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me” (Matt 10:37).
 
THOUGHT: Am I loving the Lord more than my family, placing Him above all earthly ties?
PRAYER: Father, help me to love Thee above all else, even above my dearest earthly relationships. Teach me to treasure the sacrifice of Christ, who gave His life for me, and grant me grace to remain faithful in love and obedience to Thee.

Search