Saint Cecilia, Virgin & Martyr
S. Caeciliae Virginis et Martyris
Saint Cecilia, one of the most venerated of the early Roman martyrs, gave her life for Christ and her virginity, and is honoured as the patroness of sacred music.
Saint Cecilia is among the most beloved and most anciently venerated of the martyrs of Rome. Her name is inscribed in the Roman Canon of the Mass, among the holy women whose memory the Church recalls at the altar, and a church in her honour, the titulus Ceciliæ in the district of Trastevere, has stood in Rome since the early centuries.
The Roman martyr
According to the tradition long cherished in her honour, Cecilia was a Roman maiden of noble birth who had consecrated her virginity to Christ. Given in marriage to a young man named Valerian, she won him to the faith, and with him his brother Tiburtius, so that the two brothers also received the crown of martyrdom. Cecilia herself, after confessing Christ with constancy, was put to death for the faith, and was buried in the catacombs, whence her body was later translated to the church that bears her name.
The detailed narrative of her passion belongs to the early accounts of the Roman martyrs, whose particulars cannot all be confirmed by history. What is sure and most ancient is her veneration at Rome as a virgin and martyr, the great honour in which her memory has always been held, and the church and tomb that keep her name alive. In her the Church venerates the union of virginity and martyrdom, the twofold witness of a heart given wholly to Christ.
Patroness of music
Saint Cecilia is honoured above all as the patroness of music and of musicians. This patronage grew from a phrase in the account of her passion, which told that on her wedding day, while the instruments played, Cecilia sang in her heart to the Lord alone. From this the Church came to see in her the image of the soul that makes melody to God, and she has long been invoked by singers, organists, and all who serve the sacred liturgy with song. Her feast on the twenty-second of November is kept with particular joy wherever music is offered to the praise of God.
The Collect
O God, who dost gladden us by the yearly festival of blessed Cecilia thy Virgin and Martyr: grant; that as we venerate her in our service, we may also follow the example of her holy living.
Deus, qui nos ánnua beátæ Cæcíliæ Vírginis et Mártyris tuæ solemnitáte lætíficas: da, ut, quam venerámur officío, étiam piæ conversatiónis sequámur exémplo.
Patronage
She is the patroness of music, of musicians, singers, organ-builders, and of all who make sacred music to the glory of God.
Common Questions
When is the feast of Saint Cecilia?
Her feast is kept on 22 November in both the 1962 Roman Missal (Third Class) and the modern calendar (memorial).
Who was Saint Cecilia?
She was an early Roman virgin and martyr, venerated since ancient times and named in the Roman Canon of the Mass. According to tradition she consecrated her virginity to Christ, won her husband Valerian and his brother to the faith, and was put to death for Christ. Her veneration at Rome is very old.
Why is she the patroness of music?
The patronage arose from a line in the ancient account of her passion, which said that as the instruments played at her wedding, Cecilia sang in her heart to God alone. From this she came to be honoured as the image of the soul that praises God in song, and she is invoked by musicians and church singers everywhere.
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