Dear Friends,
Last weekend Catholics celebrated All Saints Day and All Souls Day, special remembrances of the dead who have gone before us. I found myself rereading The Passion of Perpetua, an early third century document built around Saint Perpetua’s prison diary.
This North African noblewoman had just given birth when arrested and imprisoned with the new baby and Felicity, her pregnant servant and friend. Before their executions, both women endured the pleas of loved ones to renounce Christianity and return home. Both entrusted their children to family members.
Perpetua writes that during prayer she remembered her young brother who had died at age seven. His cancer had distorted one side of his face and mouth. She wept, remembering well his suffering and their family’s loss. That night she dreamed that he came to her and asked if his face could be healed. She awoke weeping to see him still suffering and alone.
Some nights later Perpetua again dreamed of her little brother. He was in a beautiful garden, his face healed and bright with joy. He greeted her and then turned to join other children in their playing and laughing. This apparition consoled Perpetua and her companions. It strengthened their faith that they and the ones they loved would know healing and new life. Death would not be the end. All life’s wounds would be healed.
With hope,
Susan Schantz SSJ
