November 22 2017 - St. Cecilia - Singing joyfully amidst persecution

Having been involved in singing in choirs both in high school and in seminary, I came to develop a devotion to St. Cecilia, patron saint of musicians. And so when I visited Rome for the first time, one of the first Churches I made sure to visit was the Church of St. Cecilia in Trastevere. The church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere is reputedly built on the site of the house in which she lived; the original church was constructed in the fourth century

St. Cecilia is one of the most famous Roman martyrs, her name is listed in the Roman Canon along with Felicity, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, and Anastasia.

The daughter of wealthy Christian family of Rome, Cecilia was promised in marriage to a Pagan man, despite an inner vow of virginity she had made to God. On the night of the wedding, she told her husband that God had set an angel over her to guard her virginity. Quite skeptical, of course, Valerian asked to see the angel. He saw the angel, and quickly went to the Pope to be baptized.
Cecilia’s holiness became a cause for many Roman pagans to seek conversion. But soon, she attracted the attention of the authorities; she was arrested and sentenced to death. Throughout her tortures, which lasted for three days, she sang God’s praises, which is why she is the patron saint of music.

Why was Cecilia so revered by the early Roman Church? Why is she revered still today?

St. Cecilia, the virgin martyr, singing God’s praises in the midst of persecution and torture, gives us example for the persecutions we must each face. The Lord promised that each of us would have to face our own persecution, that each of us would be misunderstood, mocked, even hated for the faith. And Cecilia reminds us that the Christian faces these persecutions joyfully, knowing that they lead to espousal with the Lord, eternal union with God in heaven.

If you cannot imagine facing persecution joyfully, pray for that grace—the grace to remain faithful and even joyful when your faith is tested, that in the moment of trial, your heart might be gladdened with the knowledge, that what suffer for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For all Christians, that as they experience persecution for the faith, they may know the closeness and love of the Lord and remain true to the Gospel.

Through the intercession of St. Cecilia, we pray for all musicians, that they may use their gifts and talents not for their own sake, but for the glory of God.

For peace to reign in the hearts of all preparing to gather for the Thanksgiving holiday and for the safety of all travelers.

That our young people may grow in a deep love of the Lord and his commands and be preserved from the errors of the world.

For all those struggling with addiction, mental illness, chronic sickness, unemployment, or ongoing trials of any kind, for those who grieve the loss of a loved one, or for those who will die today.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.