Saint Cecilia Patron saint of musicians Feast day: November 22

Patron Saint of Music St. Cecilia is regarded as the patroness of music because of stories that she heard heavenly music in her heart when she was married, and that as she was dying she sang to God. St. Cecilia is represented in art with an organ or organ-pipes in her hand.

Background information It is believed that St. Cecilia was born in the 2nd or 3d century A.D. She was the daughter of a wealthy Roman family, and a Christian from birth. St. Cecilia was an only child. She was promised in marriage to a pagan named Valerian.

Love Story St. Cecilia had vowed her virginity to God. She told Valerian that an angel watched over her to guard her purity. Wanting to see the angel himself, Cecilia sent Valerian to be baptized by the Pope. He then saw Cecilia praying in her chamber, guarded by an angel with flaming wings The angel placed crowns of roses and lilies on their heads, and then vanished.

Valerian and Tibertius Tibertius, the brother of Valerian, entered, and wondered at the fragrance and beauty of the flowers at that season of the year. After their baptism the two brothers devoted themselves to burying the martyrs slain daily. They were arrested and when they refused to sacrifice to the pagan gods, were executed with the sword.

Martyrdom Cecilia continued to make conversions, and prepared to have her home preserved as a church at her death. Cecilia was arrested, and condemned to be suffocated in the baths. She was shut in for a night and a day. The fires were heaped up, and made to glow and roar their utmost, but Cecilia did not even break out into perspiration through the heat.

She was then ordered beheaded, but the executioner, after striking three times without severing St Cecilia's head, ran away, leaving her badly wounded. Crowds came to her, collecting her blood while she preached to them or prayed. She lived for three days and died only after receiving the sacrament of Holy Communion. She was buried by the Pope and his deacons.

Burial Exact date of death unknown. Cecilia’s remains were exhumed in 1599, and said to be incorrupt. She had three fingers outstretched on one hand and on the other just one finger, denoting her belief in the trinity. The skull of Saint Cecilia is kept as a relic in the cathedral of Torcello.

Patroness of Music St. Cecilia's following flourished during the Middle Ages in Europe, and continued to be a popular topic for the arts well into the 18th century. In 1584 she was named patroness of the academy of music founded in Rome. Her feast day, November 22, is celebrated in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic Churches.

The name Cecilia means blind and so, although we don't know if she herself couldn't see, she is also the Catholic patron saint of the blind. The Saint Cecilia medal, typically features her at the organ, the traditional instrument of the Catholic Church, sometimes with angelic hosts gathered around her. The diocese of Omaha, Nebraska claims her as their patron saint. St. Cecilia societies still flourish around the world, often sponsoring musical events and contests.

Prayer to St. Cecilia St. Cecilia, glorious Virgin and Martyr of Jesus Christ, I admire the courage with which you professed your faith in the face of severe persecution, and the generous love with which you offered your life in witness to your belief in the Blessed Trinity. I thank God with you for the wonderful graces He had bestowed upon you to make your life holy and pleasing to Him even in the midst of the wealth that was yours. I thank Him for the privilege offered to you of receiving the glorious crown of martyrdom. Saint Cecilia, I also admire the purity of love that bound you to the Savior, which was greater in your eyes than any human affection, so that you declared yourself before the enemies of the Church, "I am the bride of my Lord Jesus Christ". Pray for me that in imitation of you I may keep my body pure and my soul holy, and that I may love Jesus with all my heart. In these times so full of pleasure seeking and so lacking in faith, teach us to profess our faith courageously and to be willing to sacrifice ourselves in practicing it, so that our good example may lead others closer to Christ and the Church He as founded. In thanksgiving to God for the graces he bestowed on St Cecilia: Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be. St. Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr of Jesus Christ, pray for us.

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