Truth at Any Cost: Feast of Saint Perpetua

Today is the Feast Day of Saint Perpetua, patron saint of my sacramental confirmation. In high school, I was deeply depressed, filled with despair and anxiety. I was overwhelmed by the sadness of the world and people around me. I was tempted to think I could not endure life. One of my religion teachers brought up the story of Saint Perpetua and I was captivated by a story that seemed my opposite: of hope, bravery and boldness. Perpetua was married to a wealthy man and led a comfortable life. But her husband had been killed in a battle while she had an infant son. Somewhere in this time, she received instruction about Jesus and committed herself to Him. Lots of people find Jesus in a crisis today. But at this time in history, agreeing to Jesus meant agreeing to probable death. Christianity was a capital crime in Northern Africa in the 200s. Her father begged her to consider her son, her wealth and his desires. And she said no, entrusting her son to God through a secret community of Christians and forsaking her earthly goods. How could she conform to the world when she had found Truth? How could she live a lie to prolong a perishable earthly existence and give up a Heavenly existence that is even more real than the air I breathe right now? In the amphitheater, she stood bravely before the rabid heifer sent to destroy her. And when the heifer could not accomplish it, she stood bravely before the gladiator who was sent in with a sword. And when the gladiator was too timid, she guided his sword to her throat herself. She was not afraid to die for Christ. I marveled at what Jesus meant to her that she was willing to accept martyrdom before hundreds of hateful taunts in the stadium. Her witness told me she had found the Truth. Now, my constant prayer is to live in the Truth at any cost, being delivered of every fear. Through the intercession of Saint Perpetua, I pray for bravery and trust. I pray to always look ahead to my Heavenly existence, preferring it to what is perishable. Saint Perpetua, so revered to be listed in the Eucharistic prayer at Mass, pray for us and pray for me! Holy Spirit, fill us with Your light and bless us especially with the gift of fortitude!