November 22 - St. Cecilia, patron saint of musicians
St. Cecilia is one of the most venerated martyrs from early Christianity and is invoked in one of the Eucharistic prayers used in the Mass. She is patron saint of musicians and her relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.
We know almost nothing of Cecilia from historical fact, but the account of her life has endured through the ages. A church in her honor was built in Rome on the site of her home, and her body rests there.
Her parents arranged a marriage for her with a man named Valerian, who was not a Christian. It is said that when she heard the music for her wedding, she was singing a hymn of love in her heart for Jesus, to whom she had committed herself as a spouse. It is references such as this that led her to be honored as patron saint of musicians. On their wedding night, Cecilia convinced Valerian of her commitment to God and he converted, requesting to be baptized along with his brother.
Valerian and his brother were both wealthy, and used their fortune to support Christian families who had suffered the loss of a member to martyrdom. Eventually, they were captured and sent to execution. The soldier committed to kill them was converted by their great faith, however, and took them to his house, instead, and asked that his whole family be baptized. The next day, Valerian, his brother and the soldier were all beheaded. Cecilia made sure they were buried properly, and distributed the goods of the households among the poor.
Cecilia herself was captured for preaching the faith and she was condemned to die by suffocation in steam baths, but she remained unhurt in the baths for a day and a half.
It is said that a soldier was sent to behead her, but after the three blows allowed by law, her head was not severed. She appeared incapacitated but peaceful, joyfully awaiting her death and union with Christ. Faithful friends gathered around her and waited with her until she died three days later. She was buried by the pope himself. In 1599, when her body was exhumed, it was found incorrupt. St. Cecilia’s relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica and she is depicted there in these stained glass windows.
St. Cecilia, patron saint of musicians, pray for us!
(from: Faith ND http://faith.nd.edu/s/1210/faith/interior.aspx?sid=1210&gid=609&pgid=11130&cid=24568&ecid=24568&crid=0)
