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Also known as: Cecily;
Cicilia
Profile
Cultivated young patrician woman whose ancestors loomed large in Rome's
history. She vowed her virginity to God, but her parents married her to
Valerian of Trastevere. Cecilia told her new husband that she was
accompanied by an angel, but in order to see it, he must be purified. He
agreed to the purification, and was baptized; returning from the ceremony,
he found her in prayer accompanied by a praying angel. The angel placed a
crown on each of their heads, and offered Valerian a favor; the new
convert asked that his brother be baptized.
The two brothers developed a ministry of giving proper burial to martyred
Christians. In their turn they were arrested and martyred for their faith.
Cecilia buried them at her villa on the Appian Way, and was arrested for
the action. She was ordered to sacrifice to false gods; when she refused,
she was martyred in her turn.
The Acta of Cecilia includes the following: "While the profane music of
her wedding was heard, Cecilia was singing in her heart a hymn of love for
Jesus, her true spouse." It was this phrase that led to her association
with music, singers, musicians, etc.
Died
martyred c.117; suffocated for a while, and when that didn't kill her, she
was beheaded; her grave was discovered in 817, and her body removed to the
church of Saint Cecilia in Rome; the tomb was opened in 1599, and her body
found to be incorrupt
Name Meaning
blind
Patronage
Albi France, composers, martyrs, music, musicians, musical instrument
makers, archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska, poets, singers
Representation
lute; organ; roses
source:
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintc04.htm
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