This prison diary by Saints Perpetua and Saturus is a must read and best of all, it is spiritual reading that can be completed in under an hour. So, if you haven’t read it yet, or haven’t read it for a while, here are some reasons why you should read it today.
- The oldest known diary? There is a claim that in the history of literature, Saint Perpetua’s prison diary is the oldest sample of a diary that still exists. Not only that, but this diary is also the oldest known extant writing by a Christian woman.
- It is readily available to read on the internet. There are traditional translations straight from the original Latin. The most popular direct translation is from W.H Shewring (1931) https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/perpetua.asp. Or if you don’t mind reading a modern adaption you can try out my first attempt at making the text accessible to readers: https://thepassionofssperpetuaandfelicity.wordpress.com/
- Saints Perpetua, Felicity are named in the Roman liturgy. They appear in the oldest Eucharistic prayer, the Roman Canon of the Mass. Catholics from at least the sixth century have been praying to and with these Saints. They were revered in ancient times up until today and for good reason.
- Written in around A.D. 203 this prison diary hails from the classical Roman era. There is plenty to learn about ancient Roman thought and family life. Although Saint Perpetua’s husband isn’t mentioned; she is, nevertheless, a young bride with a new son having a serious conflict with the paterfamilas, her pagan, aristocratic father.
- It is a profound story of Early Church persecution from the point of view of the saints who suffered in those times. In her own words Saint Perpetua takes us through the story of conflict in her family, to her trial and then her prison life, right up until she goes to her martyrdom on March 7 A.D 203. It also reports on the faith and love of Saint Felicity and records the birth of Saint Felicity's daughter a a few days before the new mother's martydom.
- Saint Perpetua is a woman of deep faith and a profound prayer life. She trusted that her Lord would greet her in heaven after her passion and death in the ampitheater in Carthage. The account of her death is recorded by an unknown bystander. The unknown author, is clearly an interested party who knew about the diary. Some have speculated it may be the head guard of the prison and convert, Pudens. Others say it may have been written by early Christian writer, fellow Carthaginian, Tertullian. Regardless, it gives special mention of the heroic perseverance of Saint Perpetua, who famously helped an assailant to finish her off with a sword because he seemed incapable of doing it by himself.
- Saint Perpetua was an early mystic. One of the most fascinating aspects of the diary are the mystical visions of Saints Perpetua and Saturus. They are full of symbolism, from the bronze ladder to the serpent, to the Eucharistic morsel. There are references to heaven, to Scriptures and doctrine in the mystical and real life of Saints Perpetua and Felicity and their companions.
- The Catholic doctrine of purgatory appears to be present. Saint Perpetua has a vision of her young brother, Dinocrates who died at the age of seven. In her vision, Dinocrates suffering torment, the water he needs to quench his thirst remain out of reach. Saint Perpetua, surprised and disturbed by this image begins to pray and offer up her suffering in jail for Dinocrates. Later, in a second vision, with great joy, she sees her brother has entered eternal life.
You will remain fascinated with this text and with Saints Perpetua, Felicity, Saturus and their companions. My own fascination led me to write a story – coming soon – asking the question - what is the story of the diary itself and how it comes to pass that we can still read it today, 1,820 years after it was written in a Carthaginian prison cell.
