Saints Felicitas and Perpetua School is a parish school, serving a diverse student population in grades Transitional Kindergarten through eighth. The school is named after the parish's patron saints, Felicitas and Perpetua, whose feast day is celebrated March 7. These patron saints were young mothers who gave witness to Christ in North Africa around the year 203 A.D. and were sent to prison because they were Christians.
The Parish of Saints Felicitas and Perpetua came into existence on October 18, 1938, when Msgr. Fox began his duties as Pastor. The first parochial Mass was celebrated in the Mission of St. John the Baptist located at 3104 Foothill Boulevard, Pasadena. Because the little Mission Chapel was not centrally located, the Pasadena Women's Club House at Colorado and Sierra Madre was rented for Divine Services, until the present property and home, then known as Casa Blanca, was purchased from the Bradbury Estate Company for $10,000. The old adobe home was renovated, and alterations were made to provide for both Church and Rectory. The growth of the parish after the war dictated the need for a larger church. The present day church was dedicated on July 18, 1948. About two years later, the school was established. Four Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary commuted from Ramona Convent School to staff the school. Two lay teachers assisted them. Classes began on September 11, 1950, with 240 children enrolled in grades 1-5. In 1954, the first class of eighth graders graduated. In 1981, the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles began their presence on the campus. In 2008, the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles left Saints Felicitas and Perpetua School to expand urgently needed healthcare services to the elderly and dying at Santa Teresita in Duarte as well as developing more comprehensive services to the family at Sacred Heart Retreat House in Alhambra. Saints Felicitas and Perpetua School is presently staffed with lay teachers.
Today's student population is approximately 200 students. The school is accredited by WCEA and co-accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). This means that our school successfully meets recognized criteria for a quality school program. The school is supported by an active Parent Service Organization and the generous parishioners of Saints Felicitas and Perpetua Catholic Church. Today, Saints Felicitas and Perpetua School is a vibrant educational institution where the students are provided with a quality Catholic education.
Our Patron Saints
March 7 is the feast day of the patron saints of our parish, Saints Felicitas and Perpetua, martyrs. These young mothers, who gave witness to Christ in North Africa about the year 203 A.D., were sent to prison because they were Christians. Saint Perpetua belonged to a noble family of Carthage. Her father was a pagan, but her mother may have been a Christian. With her in prison was her baby son. Her companion, Felicitas, also referred to as Felicity, was married to a slave and was expecting her first child when she was arrested. The anti-Christian edict of Emperor Severus demanded the death penalty for being a Christian. Perpetua obtained permission to keep her son with her in prison. On that infamous day, the young martyrs-to-be entered the Amphitheatre with joy and the ordeal began. The punishment called for the two women to be attacked by a wild heifer. Perpetua was tossed into the arena first and fell on her back. She rose from the ground, and seeing that Felicitas had now been thrown into the arena and badly hurt, gave her a hand to lift her up. The two stood side by side and received repeated mauling from the heifer. After being given a brief rest, the crowd in the arena again demanded blood. When the two heard this they rose and proceeded to the center of the arena where gladiators awaited them. The Saints embraced, kissed each other and received the sword. Our saintly patrons, Perpetua and Felicitas, died for Christ with serenity and joy.
