Saint Cecilia

AD 176- 180

Born: Rome, Italy

Survived: suffocation in the baths

Died: Sicily, Italy, by the sword

Patron saint of hymns, musicians, poets, pipe organs

A devoted daughter who despite having given a vow of virginity was given in marriage to a pagan nobleman named Valerian. During the marriage it is said that she set herself apart in the ceremony and sang to the Lord. When it was time to make the marriage official with consummation Cecilia refused and she told Valerian that he would be punished by an angel protecting her if he tried to do so. Valerian asked to see this angel and she told him some specific instructions for baptism from the Pope. Valerian did as she said and in the end he saw the angel crowning her with a wreath of lilies and roses. The marriage was never consummated but the partnership between Valerian and Cecilia along with Valerian’s brother Tibertius grew. The brothers devoted their lives to burying the dead of the martyred by the local authorities. They eventually were executed for these actions while Cecilia remained alive and devoted to preaching until she too was ordered to die.

Cecelia is illustrated here in the typical iconography attributed to this saint. Painted with her crown of lilies and roses that were placed there by her angel protector and holding her musical instruments of the organ and violin Saint Cecilia stands with her divine given authority. The turn of her head reveals the 3 strikes upon on her neck which ultimately lead her to death but only after 3 days of preaching with those ugly wounds oozing blood.