Gospel in Art: Optional Memorial of Saints Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs

Perpetua and Felicitas, 6thC mosaic, Sant'Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna © Photo by Fr Lawrence Lew OP, Flikr

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 7 March 2026
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

At that time: The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, 'This man receives sinners and eats with them.'

So he told them this parable: 'There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, "Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me." And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

'But when he came to himself, he said, "How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.' "

'And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son." But the father said to his servants, "Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found." And they began to celebrate.

'Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, "Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound." But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, "Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!" And he said to him, "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found." '

Reflection on the early mosaics

Saints Perpetua and Felicity were early Christian martyrs from Carthage in North Africa, put to death around the year 203 AD during the persecution under Emperor Septimius Severus. Perpetua was a young noblewoman and mother. Felicity was her servant, who was heavily pregnant at the time of their imprisonment. What makes their story especially powerful is that we possess a first-hand account, partly written by Perpetua herself, describing their faith and their courage. Despite intense pressure to renounce Christ, including pleas from Perpetua's own father, they remained steadfast. Felicity gave birth in prison shortly before their execution, and both women were eventually killed in the arena: exposed to wild beasts and then killed by the sword.

They are named in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I), the oldest Eucharistic prayer used for Mass. In that prayer, the Church invokes a list of early martyrs, including Perpetua and Felicity, as a sign of communion across time. Their inclusion is significant: these are not distant figures, but real witnesses whose sacrifice is joined to Christ's own sacrifice made present on the altar. When their names are spoken, it is a reminder that the Eucharist is celebrated not in isolation in 2026, but in union with the whole Church, heavenly and earthly, across time and space. The courage of the martyrs continues to nourish the faith of believers today.

Our two saints are depicted among the procession of female martyrs depicted in the 6th-century mosaics of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna. In these shimmering mosaics, a long line of richly robed female saints moves solemnly toward Christ, each crowned with a martyr's wreath. Set against a golden background that suggests the light of heaven, the figures appear timeless, almost weightless, participating already in eternal glory. These mosaics are among the most important survivals of early Christian art in the West, bridging the classical world and the emerging Byzantine style. They are not merely decorative, they are also deeply theological. They present the martyrs not in the moment of suffering, but in triumph, inviting the viewer to see beyond death to glory.

LINKS

Christian Art: https://christian.art/
Today's reading: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-15-1-3-11-32-2026/