Saint Cecilia

St. Cecilia's name has always been an important name in the Catholic Church, and has been mentioned in the Mass for 1500 years.

Cecilia was born in the early part of the third century, in Rome. There she lived with her noble family, who in the past, were known for their bravery and intelligence. Cecilia had probably been raised a Catholic by her relatives or her nurse. Her father and mother were both pagans, but they respected the Catholic faith, and allowed their daughter to be raised a Catholic.

Cecilia went to Mass and always kept her heart close to God. She grew especially in the beautiful virtues of Faith, Hope, Charity, Humility and Purity. When she was still young, she made the vow of virginity – she wanted to be a spouse of Christ and belong totally to Jesus! There were no nuns in those days; convents with nuns would not be started until about two hundred years later. She loved the poor and they looked upon her as a dear friend, who could always be trusted to help them in their needs.

By the time she was eighteen, Cecilia's parents wanted her to get married. For her husband, they chose a pagan named Valerian, who was a good, upright man, but sadly … not a Catholic!

Cecilia was afraid! She had to do what her parents had asked her to do, but how could she marry since she had made a vow of virginity! She offered her heart and her sufferings to Jesus. She prayed and fasted – eating very little food, and the nearer her wedding day approached, the more she stormed Heaven with her prayers and penances. She trusted that Jesus would somehow come to her aid and answer her prayers.

Jesus heard the prayers of good St. Cecilia and He comforted her. At a time when her sorrow about getting married was deepest, He let her know that He had accepted her generous vow of virginity and promised to send her an angel, to help her keep her vow.

At last the wedding day arrived, and Cecilia, in her finest dress of silk and gold, became a bride against the dearest wishes of her heart. When the wedding party was over, Cecilia found herself alone with her husband, Valerian. She then spoke in loving, gentle words to him.

"Valerian," she began, "there's a secret that I wish to tell you. I have a lover, an angel of God, who watches over me with jealous care! If you will allow me to keep my vow of virginity, this angel will love you, as he loves me, and he will grant you many favours."

Valerian was much astonished, "I am very surprised at what you are telling me and I wish to see this angel!"

"You shall see him," said Cecilia, "when you are purified."

"How shall I become so?" asked Valerian.

"Go to Pope Urban," whispered Cecilia. "When you tell the poor that you are Cecilia's friend, they will take you to see the Pope. He will explain to you the mysteries of the Catholic Faith. May God bless you and my angel protect you."

The grace of God was with Valerian, and he went to see Pope Urban, that very night. He was converted to the Catholic Faith and baptised by the Pope. Still dressed in his white robe, he returned to Cecilia. Valerian could now see Cecilia's special angel that Jesus had given her, and he was very impressed. He could now understand what a grace it was to be Catholic, and how good God was to give us angels, to watch over us. And this angel was as generous to Valerian as he was to Cecilia – he gave both of them wonderful graces.

Cecilia and Valerian lived together like a brother and sister, and they grew in the love of God. Valerian's brother Tiburtius, came to visit Valerian and Cecilia and they convinced him that his gods were only false gods. Tiburtius also wished to see Cecilia's angel. When he was baptised in the Catholic faith, he too was able to see her special angel!

Before long, the Governor of Rome ordered Valerian and Tiburtius to come and see him. "Valerian," said the Governor, "your brother has become crazy with all those Christian ideas. I hope that you have not become this way too, and that you will be able to answer me sensibly!"

"My brother is not crazy," said Valerian. "The physician, who is taking care of both my brother's head and mine, is Christ, the Son of the living God!"

"Come," said the Governor, "don't speak to me about these foolish things – speak with wisdom to me!"

"You don't understand what I am saying," replied Valerian, "because you don't want to hear the truth!"

Then Valerian and Tiburtius professed their faith, "We are Christians and we believe in Jesus Christ, the One and only true God!"

The Governor was furious! Valerian and Tiburtius were martyred for their faith and later Cecilia took their bodies and buried them. Soon the Governor called her to answer for what she had done. When Cecilia stood before the Governor, she said, "I too am a Christian and I believe in Jesus Christ, the One and only true God!"

Again he became furious, "Cecilia! You are condemned to die for loving the poor and for adoring Christ crucified!"

Cecilia was then taken to the steam-bath in her own house. The soldiers made the steam bath become so hot that anyone would die in it, but Cecilia was not hurt! While she was in the steam-bath, she sang to God like an angel and the soldiers also heard her singing!

When the Governor heard that Cecilia did not die from the hot steam, he shouted, "She will have her head cut off with a sword!"

A soldier was called and he lifted his sword. Then he struck Cecilia's neck three times with his sword, but he was not able to cut off her head. Trembling with fright, the soldier ran away!

Cecilia was in great pain – nothing could be done to help the poor girl! The Christians gathered around her and she lived for three more days, bathed in her own blood! Cecilia was able to say goodbye to her beloved poor, to whom she had given all her property. She continued to grow weaker and weaker. On the third day, Pope Urban came and gave her his last blessing, and her soul sped to Heaven – it was the year 177.

According to her desires, the Pope had Cecilia's house changed into a church. The steam-bath became a chapel and there, one can still see the pipes where the hot steam poured in, and the stone floor where Cecilia was struck with the sword.

In time the Catholics in Rome built a church in honour of St. Cecilia. After many years it began to crumble, so Pope Pascal I began to rebuild it. But when he was doing this he was troubled about one thing – where was the body of St. Cecilia? God soon answered his prayer. One Sunday when he was saying Matins in St. Peter's Basilica, he fell asleep. St. Cecilia appeared to him and told him, "My body has not been stolen and in fact you will find it!"

Later, Pope Pascal made a search for St. Cecilia's body and found it in St. Cecilia's Cemetery. Her body was clothed in a gold cloth, and there were cloths at her feet that had been used to bind her neck wound! With her body was also found that of her husband, Valerian. The Pope was overjoyed! He then had the bodies of these two martyrs taken to St. Cecilia's Church in the year 821.

In 1599, Cardinal Sfondrate, made St. Cecilia's Church, even more beautiful. He had her tomb opened and found that her body was perfectly preserved – it was as if she had just died! The three fingers on her right hand were open, as if when she was dying, she wished to show her belief in the Holy Trinity! St. Cecilia is the Patron Saint of Music. Pray to her to help you remain always pure, and faithful to the Catholic religion.

The End

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