St. Cecilia
Patroness of Musicians
Feast Day: November 22
Biography
St. Cecilia is one of the most venerated martyrs of the early Roman Church, and her cultus dates to at least the 5th century. According to tradition, she was a noblewoman of a patrician Roman family who consecrated her virginity to God. On her wedding day, she told her husband Valerian that an angel watched over her purity. Valerian asked to see the angel, and Cecilia told him he must first be baptized. He agreed, was baptized by Pope Urban I, and returned to find an angel crowning Cecilia with roses and lilies. Valerian and his brother Tiburtius were both converted and later martyred. Cecilia herself was sentenced to death: first by suffocation in her own bath (which she survived), then by beheading. The executioner struck her neck three times but could not sever her head. She lived for three more days, during which she distributed her possessions to the poor and asked the Pope to convert her home into a church (the present Basilica of St. Cecilia in Trastevere). The tradition that she 'sang to God in her heart' as musical instruments played at her wedding led to her patronage of music. When her tomb was opened in 1599, her body was found remarkably preserved.
Patronages
Symbols
Prayer
O St. Cecilia, who chose to give your life rather than deny your Lord, grant us the courage to profess our faith in every circumstance. As you sang to God in your heart, help us to make our whole lives a song of praise to Him who is worthy of all our love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Asking for Intercession
Catholics ask saints to pray with us and for us, as we ask friends on earth. St. Cecilia, who lives in God's presence, intercedes before His throne. Speak from your heart: “St. Cecilia, please pray for me…” You may also pray the prayer above or include this intention in your Rosary.