Perpetua of Hippo

Perpetua (died c. 423) was a late Roman abbess, the daughter of Saint Monica and Patricius, and the sister of Augustine of Hippo.

Not to be confused with Perpetua of Carthage.

Biography

Although Augustine's sister is mentioned by him and Possidius, neither give her name; the Bollandists ascribe the name Perpetua to sacred tradition.[1] Perpetua married and was widowed, then dedicated herself to a life of celibacy and became head of a convent.[2] She died around 423.[3][4] In his writings, Augustine does name their brother, Navigus.[5][6] Possidius describes her in his Vita Augustini as "superior of the handmaids until her death", despite this, neither she, nor any other woman, was allowed to stay at Augustine's monastery.[7] He argued that although his sister, who was living a holy life, would be above "evil suspicion" - she would need to bring in female servants who may provide temptation.[8]

Religious impact

Perpetua was an abbess of an order of consecrated virgins in Hippo.[2] This monastery was probably close to his own in Hippo.[9] Augustine and Perpetuas' nieces joined this religious foundation.[10] The monastery was also well-known for rescuing foundlings.[11] This establishment seems to have run on similar lines to his - the nuns were allowed to leave the monastery for a variety of activities, including: visiting the baths, to the laundry, and to worship at external churches.[12] He wrote Epistula 211 addressed to the order,[13][14] after the death of his sister, as they were suffering from internal dissent.[7] It can be argued that Perpetuas' influence was at its strongest after her death, with the writing of this letter to her community. It became known as the Rule of Nuns.[15] One of its major warnings was of pride: whether you came from a humble or a rich background, there was danger that you may become proud of your asceticism, which undid all its holy work.[7]

References
  1. Cited in Weiskotten, Herbert T. (2008) [1919]. "Introduction". The Life of Saint Augustine. Arx. p. xv. ISBN 978-1-889758-90-9.
  2. FITZGERALD, E (1999). Augustine Through the Ages: An Encyclopedia. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. p. 309. ISBN 978-0-8028-3843-8.
  3. Augustine. Epistula 211.4.
  4. Possidius, Vita augustini, 26.1.
  5. Augustine. De vita beata, 1.6.
  6. Augustine. Confessiones, 9.11.27.
  7. FITZGERALD, ed (1999). Augustine Through the Ages: An Encyclopedia. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. p. 68. ISBN 978-0-8028-3843-8.
  8. Truax, Jean A. (1990-01-01). "Augustine of Hippo: defender of women's equality?". Journal of Medieval History. 16 (4): 285. doi:10.1016/0304-4181(90)90029-Z. ISSN 0304-4181.
  9. Toom, Tarmo (2018-01-11). Augustine in Context. Cambridge University Press. p. 207. ISBN 978-1-108-36518-5.
  10. "Navigius". dacb.org. Retrieved 2019-12-27.
  11. Chadwick, Henry (2010-08-05). Augustine of Hippo: A Life. OUP Oxford. ISBN 978-0-19-161533-7.
  12. Toom, Tarmo (2018-01-11). Augustine in Context. Cambridge University Press. p. 174. ISBN 978-1-108-36518-5.
  13. "CHURCH FATHERS: Letter 211 (St. Augustine)". www.newadvent.org. Retrieved 2020-03-07.
  14. Fitzgerald, Allan D. (1999). Augustine Through the Ages: An Encyclopedia. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. p. 303. ISBN 978-0-8028-3843-8.
  15. Barnard, Lucy (2007). "The Pedagogical Gospel according to Saint Augustine". International Journal of the Humanities. 5 (2).
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