Second Century
FEAST November 23
Felicity, or Felicitas, is thought to be a widow who was martyred in Rome about 165 and buried in the cemetery of Maximus on the Salerian Way. According to a legend, she had seven sons and was devoted to charitable works. When pagan priests complained about her winning converts to Christianity, Felicity was arrested and ordered to worship pagan gods. She refused, as did her sons; the emperor had them all executed. Seven male martyrs, the so-called Seven Brothers, were buried in Roman cemeteries; one of them, Silvanus, was buried near Felicity’s tomb, which may have prompted the legend that the seven were her sons. Felicity is a patron saint of childbirth and barren women.