Holy Martyr Cecilia

Life

Cecilia was born in Rome of wealthy and notable parents and had great faith in Christ the Lord and great zeal for the faith. Having vowed lifelong virginity to God, holy Cecilia wore a sharp hairshirt beneath the precious garments which her parents gave her. And when her parents compelled her to marriage, and that with a certain pagan, Valerian, she counseled her bridegroom on the first night to go to Bishop Urban and be baptized, and then himself to live a virginal life. Having received the Christian Faith, Valerian converted his brother Tiburtius to it as well. Both these brothers were soon thereafter condemned to death because of the faith. But their faithfulness did not weaken even before death itself. Being led to the place of execution, these wondrous brothers succeeded in converting to the faith the commander of the guard, Maximus. All three together suffered for Christ the Lord. Saint Cecilia buried their bodies together. Then Cecilia too was brought to trial, for she untiringly won over pagans to the Christian Faith. In one evening alone she won over four hundred souls. When the judge asked her whence came such boldness, she answered: "From a pure conscience and from faith without doubt." After cruel tortures she was condemned to beheading by the sword. The executioner struck her three times on the neck with the sword but could not kill her; he only wounded her, and from the wound blood flowed, which the faithful collected in handkerchiefs, sponges, and vessels for healing. Three days after this the martyr and virgin of Christ gave up her spirit to her Lord, with whom she rejoices eternally. Saint Cecilia suffered with the others around the year 230. Her relics rest in the Church of her name in Rome. In the Western Church Saint Cecilia is considered the patroness of church singing and music.

From the Hymn of Praise

Cecilia mighty in faith,Rich in faith,Her faith more beautiful than stars,More precious than gold.