Lenten Campaign 2025
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Ready to teach children about two brave young mothers who became saints through their extraordinary faith during the time of Roman persecution?
Here's a ready-to-use lesson about these remarkable women whose friendship and devotion continue to inspire Christians today!
1Tell the story of Sts. Perpetua and Felicity
Read the biography here or read this story:
Perpetua was a well-educated 22-year-old noblewoman with a baby son, while Felicity was her pregnant maid. Both women became Christians at a dangerous time in North Africa (203 AD) when the Roman emperor had forbidden conversion to Christianity. They were very close friends and helped each other stand strong in their faith.
Despite facing imprisonment and threats against their families, these brave mothers refused to deny their faith. Perpetua kept a prison diary, which is one of the earliest Christian writings by a woman. Her writings reveal their courage, their powerful dreams, and their unwavering trust in God.
Felicity gave birth to her daughter just days before they were martyred in the arena at Carthage. Other Christians adopted and raised both of their children. You might have noticed hearing these amazing women’s names in the first Eucharistic Prayer at Mass. We celebrate their feast day on March 7.
This video also tells their story. It’s a bit intense, so we recommend it for ages 10 and up.
2Work and discuss
While watching or after the video, children can work on a coloring page, which can be found here and here, with lots more options available through a quick online search (this one of just St. Felicity is especially powerful).
Discussion questions:
- How did Perpetua and Felicity show courage when facing danger?
- Why is Perpetua’s diary of her experiences important?
- What does their friendship teach us about supporting each other in difficult times?
- How did Perpetua's dreams strengthen her faith?
- What helps you be brave?
3Choose an extension activity
You can stop the lesson there, or go deeper with one of these extension activities.
Enjoy a food connection: Perpetua and Felicity lived in North Africa (modern-day Tunisia), so consider enjoying some simple North African treats. You might try dates and figs (common foods in North Africa) or honey-sweetened bread. If time allows, look through a list of Tunisian recipes and choose one to make with your young chefs.
Create friendship bracelets: In honor of the bond between Perpetua and Felicity, have children make simple friendship bracelets to symbolize being loyal friends who help others stay strong in faith. The bracelet can be a reminder to pray for their friends, and a reminder of God’s friendship with us.
Start a diary: Perpetua’s diary is an important historical record. In imitation of her, encourage the children to start a diary of their own, or write in their diary during your lesson time if they already have a diary. You might even have them start a prayer journal in which they can write to Jesus and record their own experiences of prayer and faith.
4Pray together
Gather together and light a candle. Here's a prayer from the Roman Missal:
O God, at the urging of whose love
the Martyrs Saints Perpetua and Felicity
defied their persecutors and overcame the torment of death,
grant, we ask, by their prayers, that we may ever grow in your love.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Saints Perpetua and Felicity, pray for us!
Find all of our open-and-go lesson plans here.
