Saintly Saturday - St. Cecilia


As musicians, we would be remiss if we failed to recognize St. Cecilia in today's Saintly Saturday!

St. Cecilia was believed to have been born sometime in the late 2nd century into a wealthy family. At a young age, she took a vow of virginity, yet her parents still gave her in marriage to a young man named Valerian. Prior to consummating their marriage, Cecilia informed Valerian of her vow & told him an angel was protecting her. He asked for proof, wanting to see the angel, & she replied that he must travel to be baptized by Pope Urbanus. Upon his return to his wife, he saw the angel & came to believe. 

His brother, Tibertius, also came to believe. The two spent the rest of their lives burying those murdered during persecutions by the city's prefect, Turcius Almachius. They were eventually arrested & executed for their denial to offer sacrifice to the gods. 

During their burying of the dead, Cecilia preached & brought over 400 to conversion. She, too, was arrested & shut in the baths to be suffocated. She never broke a sweat! An executioner was sent in to behead her. Three blows failed to fully decapitate her & she lived three days more, continuing to preach to those who visited her. 

Her body, when exhumed on 1959, was found to be incorrupt. A floral scent eminated from her coffin, too. 

St. Cecilia is known as the patron of musicians. It is said that heavenly music was in her heart when she was married, a sung prayer to protect her vow of virginity. We celebrate her feast day on November 22.

St. Cecilia, Pray for Us!

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