Today’s Pious Yet Truly Morbid Fact!
Here is another little tale of Christian Martyrdom from the classic of the genre, Fox’s Book of Martyrs (1848). These acts allegedly occurred during the Fourth Persecution, under Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, A. D. 162:
Felicitatis, an illustrious Roman lady, of a considerable family and the most shining virtues, was a devout christian. She had seven sons, whom she had educated with the most exemplary piety.
Januarius, the eldest, was scourged, and pressed to death with weights; Felix and Philip, the two next had their brains dashed out with clubs; Silvanus, the fourth, was murdered by being thrown from a precipice; and the three younger sons, Alexander, Vitalis, and Martial, were beheaded. The mother was beheaded with the same sword as the three latter.
Culled from: Fox’s Book of Martyrs
Generously suggested by: Louise
Beheading the mother with the same sword as the sons? Positively unsanitary!