November 22
Saint Cecilia
Virgin, Martyr
First Incorrupt Saint
(Unknown – 3rd Century)
“Arise, soldier of Christ, throw away the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”
Saint Cecilia
Saint’s Life Story
Her Early Life
The year of Cecilia’s birth is unknown, but is thought to be late 2nd century or early 3rd century. Her family was one of the principle families of Rome. Her parents were secretly Christians, and brought her up piously. She always carried a copy of the Gospels concealed in her clothes. From an early age, Cecilia vowed her virginity to God and dedicated herself to a life of piety and devotion.
Marriage to Valerian
Despite her desire to remain unmarried and dedicate her life solely to God, Cecilia’s parents arranged a marriage for her with a pagan nobleman named Valerian of Trastevere. On their wedding night, Cecilia told Valerian that she had sworn to remain a virgin before God and that an angel guarded her body, protecting her virginity from violation. She told Valerian that he would be able to see this angel if he went to the Via Appia and was baptized by Saint Pope Urban I.
Valerian and Tiburtius Are Baptized
Valerian agreed to be purified and was subsequently baptized. Upon returning from the ceremony, Valerian discovered Cecilia in deep prayer with an angel by her side. The angel placed a crown of everlasting roses on the heads of both Cecilia and Valerian. The angel offered Valerian, the new convert, a favor in return. Valerian requested that his brother be baptized as well. From that moment on, the two brothers, Valerian and Tiburtius, dedicated themselves to the Christian faith. During that era, it was forbidden for anyone to bury the bodies of Christians, however, they developed a ministry focused on providing proper burials for martyred Christians.
Valerian and Tiburtius Martyred
Their actions caught the attention of the Roman authorities, resulting in their arrest. The brothers converted their jailer, Maximus, who also received subsequent martyrdom with Valerian and Tiburtius for their unwavering faith. Cecilia, after burying her husband and brother-in-law in the cemetery of St. Calixtus on the Appian Way, was also arrested for her involvement. She was commanded to sacrifice to false gods, but she steadfastly refused, remaining true to her Christian beliefs.
Her Martyrdom
Almachius, the prefect of Borne, condemned Cecilia to death, in the fear that her rank, wealth, and charity should promote the cause of Christianity. To spare the ignominy of public punishment, an executioner was sent to her house, a common act of courtesy towards persons of high rank under sentence of death.
She was to be stifled in her bath. Cecilia suffered a whole day in the heat, but as it did not even injure her, the man tried to behead her. His hand, however, trembled so that when he had inflicted three strokes with his sword, as the law did not allow a fourth, he was obliged to leave her mortally wounded and bleeding. She prayed that she might live until she had bequeathed her house and property to the Church. She lived thus for three days, receiving visits from the faithfulwhile she conversed with Pope Saint Urban I, She was laid to rest in the Catacomb of St. Callistus by the future Pope Saint Urban, who had baptized her husband and brother-in-law.
In 817, her grave was discovered in 817 and her body removed to the church of Saint Cecilia in Rome. Then, in 1599, the tomb was opened and her body was found to be miraculously preserved and incorrupt.
Born: Unknown (possibly late 2nd Century) most likely in Rome, Italy
Died: 3rd Century (around in Rome, Italy
Beatified: Pre-Congregation
Canonized: Pre-Congregation
Feast Day: November 22
Reflection
Legend has it that Saint Cecilia was singing in her heart a hymn of love for Jesus, her true spouse, even amidst her martyrdom. Saint Cecilia’s story reminds us of the power of music to uplift our spirits, deepen our connection with the divine, and inspire acts of faithfulness and devotion.
Although you may not have a singer’s voice like Saint Cecilia, take time today, wherever you are, to sing , if not out loud, in your heart at least. Sing praise and thanksgiving for the love and mercy of Jesus, dying on the cross for us, sinners.
Prayers
Saint Cecilia,
You, the patroness of musicians and singers, who sang to God with all your heart,
Intercede for us in prayer to inspire us to lift our voices in praise and worship and to use our talents for the glory of God.
May our lives be a beautiful melody of faith and love so that we may glorify God in all that we do.
Help us to emulate your unwavering faith and courage and to stand firm in our convictions, even in the face of adversity.
Saint Cecilia, pray for us. Amen.
Saint Links
Aleteia – St. Cecilia, patron of music
All Saints & Martyrs – Saint Cecilia
AnaStpaul – Saint of the Day – 22 November – St Cecilia (died 3rd Century) Virgin & Martyr
Catholic Exchange – Saint Cecilia
Catholic Fire – St. Cecilia: Patron of Poets and Musicians
Catholic Ireland – Nov 22 – St Cecilia (3rd century) virgin and martyr patron of music
Catholic News Agency – St. Cecilia Feast day: Nov 22
Catholic Online – St. Cecilia
CatholicSaints.Info – Saints of the Day – Cecilia of Rome – by Katherine I Rabenstein
Christian Iconography – Saint Cecilia: The Iconography
Editions Magnificant – Saint Cecilia Virgin, Martyr († 177)
Franciscan Media – Saint Cecilia
Hallow – St. Cecilia
Independent Catholic News – St Cecilia
Lives of the Lady Saints – November 22. Cecilia, Who Dated An Angel
Loyola Press – Saint Cecelia Feast Day November 22
Mary’s Blog – The Wonders of St Cecilia
New Advent – Kirsch, J.P. (1908). St. Cecilia. In The Catholic Encyclopedia
Newman Ministry – Saint Cecilia
Rev Alban Butler’s Lives Of The Saints Complete Edition – St Cecilia or Cecily, Virgin and Martyr
RC Spirituality (Uncle Eddy) – St Cecilia
Roman Catholic Saints – St Cecilia
Saints for Sinners – Saint Cecilia
Saint Mary’s Press – Saint Cecilia (2nd century)
uCatholic – Saint Cecilia
Video Link
St. Cecilia – YouTube (Catholic Online)