Fast, concise facts and information about Saint Felicitas The following provides fast and concise facts and information: - The patron of Widows and Mothers of Dead Sons
- Memorial Day / Feast Day: November 23rd
- Date of Death: Saint Felicitas died in A.D. 173
- Cause of Death: Beheaded
Who or what is Saint Felicitas the patron saint of? Saint Felicitas is the patron of Widows and Mothers of Dead Sons. Meanings, definition and origins - a patron is considered to be a defender of a specific group of people or of a nation. There is a patron for virtually every cause, profession or special interest. Prayers are considered more likely to be answered by asking a patron for intercession on their behalf. The Story and History of Saint Felicitas The story and history of Saint Felicitas. Felicitas, aka Felicity of Rome, was the widow of a rich Roman patrician. She and her seven sons lived during the reign of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus (April 26, 121 – March 17, 180) was Roman Emperor from 161 - 180. She, and her sons converted to Christianity and refused to worship the Roman gods. They were arrested and Felicitas was forced to watch each of her sons being put top death. After every death she was asked to renounce the Christian faith but she was refused. She was beheaded and buried in the cemetery of Maximus beside the Via Salaria. Death of Saint Felicitas There are two categories of saints: martyrs and confessors. A Christian martyr is regarded as one who is put to death for his Christian faith or convictions. Confessors are people who died natural deaths. Date of Death: Saint Felicitas died in A.D. 173. Cause of Death: Beheaded. Why is Saint Felicitas the patron of Widows and Mothers of Dead Sons? Why is Saint Felicitas is the patron of Widows and Mothers of Dead Sons? Because of her legend and the deaths of her sons. How Saint Felicitas is represented in Christian Art It is helpful to be able to recognise Saint Felicitas in paintings, stained glass windows, illuminated manuscripts, architecture and other forms of Christian art. The artistic representations reflect the life or death of saints, or an aspect of life with which the person is most closely associated. Saint Felicitas is represented in Christian Art hooded and veiled, as matron and widow, and with her seven sons around her.
Feast Day of Saint Felicitas The Feast Day of Saint Felicitas is November 23rd. The origin of Feast Days: most saints have specially designated feast days and are associated with a specific day of the year and these are referred to as the saint's feast day. The feast days first arose from the very early Christian custom of the annual commemoration of martyrs on the dates of their deaths at the same time celebrating their birth into heaven. |