Saint Cecilia - November 22

Saint Cecilia

Patroness of Musicians

November 22

“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all you lands;

worship the Lord with cries of gladness;

come before him with joyful song.”
(Psalms 100:1-2)

Today is the feast of Saint Cecilia an early Church martyr whose oldest historical account in the “Martyrologium Hieronymianum” shows her feast celebrated from the fourth century. This martyr who tradition holds sang for three days after being fatally wounded in a botched execution is the patroness of musicians and Church music.



    “Be filled with the Holy Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in our hearts, giving thanks always and for everything.”
(Ephesians 5:18-20)  

 Cecilia has inspired poetry and choral arrangements throughout the ages. In 1739 George Frideric Handel using a poem by John Dryden composed, Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day. Inspired by Cecilia’s life, Dryden wrote, “From harmony, from heavenly harmony, this universal frame began,” recalling the theory that music was a central force in Earth’s creation.

"Singing is praying twice". Saint Augustine
Saint Cecilia Pray for Us

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Art
Saint Cecilia - Guido Reni
The Ecstasy of Saint Cecilia - Raphael