Holy Martyrs Felicitas and Her Seven Sons: Januarius, Felix, Philip, Silvanus, Alexander, Vitalis and Martial (+c. 164)

The holy Martyr Felicitas had seven sons: Januarius, Felix, Philip, Silvanus, Alexander, Vitalis and Martial. Felicitas came of a rich Roman family. When the priests accused the saint of insulting the pagan gods by spreading the Christian faith, she gave away all her property as alms and together with her sons openly confessed Christ. For this they were handed over to torture. Saint Felicitas watched her sons’ sufferings and besought the Lord that all seven of them might enter the Kingdom before her. Her wish was granted: she herself died last. The holy family suffered in Rome around the year 164.