St. Cecilia is an early Christian martyr, and is one of the most well-known saints. Born into a wealthy family in Rome during the 2nd Century, Cecilia made a vow of virginity when she was young. Despite this, her family forced her to marry Valerian, a Roman pagan nobleman. During their wedding ceremony, Cecilia is said to have sung in her heart to God, which is she is the patron saint of musicians. On their wedding night, Cecilia told Valerian that she had taken a vow of virginity, and that an angel was protecting her. Valerian wanted to see this angel, but Cecilia told him that he would have to travel to the third milestone on the Via Appia and be baptized by Pope Urban I.
When Valerian returned home to Cecilia, he saw the angel crowning her with roses and lilies. Valerian’s brother, Tibertius, followed his lead, and was also baptized. Together, the two brothers would bury the bodies of saints who were murdered by the prefect of the city. While Valerian and Tibertius buried bodies, Cecilia preached to many people, and converted over four hundred people.
Eventually, Valerian and Tibertius were arrested and executed after they refused to worship and sacrifice to the Roman gods. Later, Cecilia was arrested and sent to be suffocated in baths. The heat of the baths was intense, but Cecilia did not sweat at all. When the prefect heard this, he ordered that Cecilia be beheaded in the baths instead. When the guard arrived to do the deed, he could not decapitate her. He left her there, bleeding in the water. Cecilia lived for three days in the baths. While she was there, many people came to see her, to have her pray over them, and to collect her blood. After she died, Pope Urban I buried her.
Cecilia’s body was exhumed in 1599, and she is regarded as the first incorruptible saint. The officials did not do any examinations of her body, other than noticing her gold embroidered dress, silk veil, and flower-like odor that surrounded her. Reports say that the church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere was built where Cecilia’s house once stood.
Activities to Try:
+ Find ways to draw closer to Jesus through music.
+ Pray to St. Cecilia, that you may have a strong faith in Christ like she did.
St. Cecilia
O glorious St. Cecilia, virgin and martyr, you won the martyr’s crown without renouncing your love for Jesus, the delight of your soul. We ask that you help us to be faithful in our love for Jesus, that, in the communion of the saints, we may praise Him twice in our song of rejoicing for the Blood that He shed which gave us the grace to accomplish His will on earth. Amen.
St. Cecilia
Pray for Us
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