There’s a lot of mystery that surrounds St. Cecilia. Historians aren’t totally sure when exactly she was venerated and her name was first brought up about 200 years after her lifetime when Pope Gelasius (496) introduced her name into his Sacramentary. But her story is one of beauty and devotion to God.
Life + Marriage
St. Cecilia came from a wealthy family and was betrothed to a young man Valerian. When she married Valerian her heart sung to God. However, she told her new husband that she had taken a vow of virginity and had an angel to protect her. He didn’t believe her, so she sent him to be baptized and upon his return, he was able to see St. Cecilia’s guardian angel.
Valerian’s brother heard of this and he, too, was baptized. Both brothers then dedicated their lives to burying the saints who were murdered by the prefect of Rome. Eventually, the brothers were executed after they refused to offer sacrifices to the gods.
After the death of her husband and brother-in-law, St. Cecilia spent her time preaching and converting people. It’s said she converted over 400 people! Because of this is was sentenced to be suffocated in the baths of Rome. But after being in relentless heat for a day and night, St. Cecilia didn’t even sweat. So the executioner then hit her in the neck with a sword three times. But she still did not die and lived for three days, praying and preaching to those who come to see her. Interesting fact about St. Cecilia, when her body was exhumed in 1599, it was found to be incorrupt. She was the first of all incorrupt saints.
Why the organ keyboard on her medal?
Because St. Cecilia heard music in her heart on the day she was married. And, she is the patroness of musicians, after all.
Who would be friends with St. Cecilia?
- Musicians
- RCIA leaders and sponsors
- Evangelists
- Catholic converts
You can learn even more about St. Cecilia right here.
“Arise, soldiers of Christ, throw away the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” St. Cecilia certainly knew the power of God to convert people and how to bring His light into a dark world.
Ready to dive in with St. Cecilia? Why not start in our shop with a bodied reminder of her? You can shop her section right here.
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