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Virgin, Martyr, Patroness of Church Music
A.D. 230
Feast: November 22
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"Saint Cecilia was a cultivated, young patrician woman whose ancestors loomed large in Rome’s history. She
vowed her virginity to God, but her parents married her to Valerian of Trastevere. Cecilia told her new
husband that she was accompanied by an angel, but in order to see it, he must be purified. He agreed and
was baptized. Returning from the ceremony, he found her in prayer, accompanied by a praying angel. The
angel placed a crown on each of their heads and offered Valerian a favor; the new convert asked that his
brother be baptized.
The two brothers developed a ministry of giving proper burial to martyred Christians. In their turn they
were arrested and martyred for their faith. Cecilia buried them at her villa on the Appian Way, and was
arrested for the action. She was ordered to sacrifice to false gods. When she refused, she was martyred
in the year 117. After trying suffocation which did not work, she was beheaded. Her grave was discovered
in 817 and her body removed to the church of Saint Cecilia in Rome. The tomb was opened in 1599 and her
body was found to be incorrupt.
The Acta of Cecilia includes the following: “While the profane music of her wedding was heard, Cecilia
was singing in her heart, a hymn of love for Jesus, her true spouse.” It was this phrase that led to her
association with music, singers, musicians, etc." *
* "CECILIA," Site created and designed by Terry H. Jones, 7 Nov. 2002.
Click here for detailed information about St. Cecilia.
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintc04.htm.
Click here for a St. Cecilia image from the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.
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