St. Cecilia Martyr

St. Cecilia was born during the second or third century. She was a Christian from the time she was born but was forced to marry a pagan. St. Cecilia had promised God to remain a virgin even after her marriage. She told her husband, Valerian that an angel stayed by her side, protecting her virginity. Valerian asked to see the angel but St. Cecilia told him to ask the pope. Valerian went to the pope and saw the angel. He was converted to Christianity at once.

The prefect of Rome sentenced both St. Cecilia and her husband to death. It was ordered that St. Cecilia be suffocated in the bath house but that attempt failed. She was then sentenced to beheading. The executioner tried three times to behead St. Cecilia but failed, however she was wounded by the blows. She lived for three days preaching the word of God all the while. It is said that St. Cecilia heard heavenly music throughout her life and became the patroness of music.

St. Cecilia Medal

The beautiful St. Cecilia medal features St. Cecilia at the organ with angels hovering around her. Today many churches hold musical events and contests in honor of St. Cecilia patron saint of music. Church musicians often wear the St. Cecilia medal or the St. Cecilia pendant to honor her life and her death. Catholic musicians pray to St. Cecilia for intercession with the angels, hoping for inspiration for the music they perform in the name of Jesus.

St. Cecilia Prayers

* Dear Saint Cecilia, one thing we know for certain about you is that you became a heroic martyr in fidelity to your divine Bridegroom.

We do not know that you were a musician but we are told that you heard Angels sing.

Inspire musicians to gladden the hearts of people by filling the air with God's gift of music and reminding them of the divine Musician who created all beauty.
Amen.

* Glorious Saint Cecilia, who chose to die
Instead of denying your King.
We pray you please to help us
As His fair praise we sing!

We lift our hearts in joyous song
To honor Him this way,
And while we sing, remembering,
To sing is to doubly pray.

At once in our hearts and in our tongues
We offer double prayer
Sent heavenward on winged notes
To praise God dwelling there.

While in our hearts and tongues we try
With song to praise God twice,
We ask dear saint, to help us be
United closed to Christ!