St. Cecilia
The Virgin who sang her way to Martyrdom
St. Cecilia
Lived: 200 - 235 AD
Place of Origin: Rome, Italy
Cause of Death: Died from wounds of a failed attempt of beheading, after a failed attempt at suffocation.
Cecilia’s Vow to the Lord
Cecilia was born into a noble and wealthy family in Rome. It is unknown if her parents were Christians. Some believe they were because of her deep devotion to Christ, even at such a young age. Some believe they were not Christians because they forced her to marry a pagan man named Valerian. Cecilia loved her parents and was obedient to them.
However, she made a promise to the Lord that she intended to keep. She consecrated herself to he Lord and vowed to be a Virgin all of her life. This was not a common practice back then, as there was no order of Nuns back then as there are today. Cecilia knew she had to do this, and she knew her Guardian Angel would play a strong role in keeping this promise.
Cecilia’s Noble Spouse, Valerian
Valerian was a Pagan who was confused but intrigued by Cecilia. He did not understand her faith, but he was very respectful of it. He truly did love her and wanted her to feel comfortable in their marriage. He and Cecilia would have conversations about her faith and Christianity in general. Cecilia told Valerian of her promise to the Lord, and she exclaimed that her Guardian Angel would always protect her and her promise.
You can imagine Valerian’s thoughts. He was probably hoping Cecilia would come around to not have that promise anymore, as she was a married woman to him. However, instead of being upset, he was still intrigued. He told her he did not see an Angel protecting her. Cecilia told him that one day he would surely see her Angel. But first, he must go meet Pope Urban, believe in Jesus Christ, and be baptized. Valerian set off to go meet with the Pope and be baptized.
When Valerian returned, he walked into the house, happy to see his new bride with his new faith. When he set his eyes on Cecilia, he could not believe what he was seeing. He saw an Angel with a Crown for Cecilia, made of roses and lilies.
The Arrest and Death of Valerian and Tibertius
Valerian’s faith grew strong, which led to the conversion of his brother Tibertius, who also saw the Angel protecting Cecilia. During the persecution of Christians at this time, it was common that Martyrs of the Christian Faith were not allowed to have a proper burial in an attempt at humiliation of these Christians. Strong in their new faith, Valerian and Tibertius would secretly start burying the martyrs in the night. They did so until they were caught and arrested by the Roman Authorities. During their arrest a Roman Soldier named Maximus was in charge of watching them. He would listen to them speak about their faith and was drawn to become a Christian as well. The faith of Maximus was discovered and he too was arrested.
When the three of them stood before the emperor for their crimes, they were given the chance to renounce their Christian faith and walk free. They refused to do so and proclaimed Jesus Christ to be the One True God. They were tortured and sentenced to death. Maximus by beating, and Valerian and Tibertius by beheading.
The Arrest and Death of Cecilia
While mourning the death of her Husband Valerian, Cecilia devoted the rest of her life to spreading the good news, and converting Pagans to Christianity. She helped convert over 400 people. She would eventually be arrested and sentenced to death. Legend says she would sing Psalms and words from the Gospel as she walked towards her death.
She was sentenced to put her body into an overheated bath of boiling water. People were amazed when she submerged in the bath for hours, no harm was done to her. When the Romans saw that this had failed, they went to behead her. They attempted to behead her 3 times, and it only left her bleeding. While she was bleeding, she continued preaching the gospel and singing until she finally died from her wounds.
Saints make those around them Saints as well
This is the biggest thing I took away from the Story of St. Cecilia. Her steadfast Love of Christ created three other Canonized Saints (Valerian, Tibertius, and Maximus). Saints inspire others to be Saints.
St. Cecilia was also the very first Saint to be found with an incorrupt body over a thousand years after her Death.
St. Cecilia is the Patron Saint of Musicians and Sacred Music.
Prayer to St. Cecilia
O glorious saint, 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 close to Christ!
St. Cecilia, pray for us!
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!