My daughter’s birthday

NOVEMBER 22   St. Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr

1. Cecilia is one of the most highly venerated virgin-martyrs of the Church; her name occurs in the Canon of the Mass. There are no reliable records regarding either her person or her martyrdom. She may have gained her crown in the persecution of Alexander Severus (222-235), or in that of Valerian (258) or in that of Diocletian (304). One fact stands, however: that there was in the fourth century a church in Rome founded by a Cecilia. Tradition affirms that she was of noble stock and that she was married to a certain Valerian, against her will. On the first evening they were together she persuaded him not to touch her, by promising that he would be able to see the Guardian Angel at her side if he would go to Pope Urban and receive baptism. Thus did she preserve her virginity and gain a convert to Christ; in fact, both Valerian and his brother Tiburtius suffered martyrdom for the Faith. Then Almachius, the Prefect of Rome, arrested Cecilia, who had already given all Valerian’s possessions to the poor. An attempt to murder her in her home by means of steam met with failure; an executioner then vainly attempted to cut off her head, and left her dying after three strokes of his axe. Her house was converted into a church, to which her body was transferred by order of Pope Paschal I (817-824), after resting for a time in the Catacombs of St. Callistus.
2. “I will reveal a secret to you, Valerian: the angel of God is my protector and he jealously guards my body.” Although Cecilia submitted to marriage with the pagan Valerian, she was determined to preserve her virginity and to lead her husband to Christ. While the noisy merriment of the wedding celebration was in progress she spoke to our Lord: “Keep my heart unspotted and let me not be confounded” (Vesper antiphon). She had promised Him to remain a virgin and she trusted in His help, in spite of the marriage forced upon her by her parents. Valerian was impressed by her sincere promise that he should see her angel, and he respected her convictions. After receiving baptism and seeing the angel, he went at once to lead his brother to the font. By a miracle God had rewarded Cecilia’s filial obedience and trust; she remained a virgin after marriage.
“Be bold, you soldiers of Christ; throwaway the weapons of darkness and take up those of light.” These were Cecilia’s last words to her husband and his brother as they were led away to death. She was seized and locked in her bathroom, which was then heated until it seemed certain she must suffocate. She prayed, however, and remained unharmed. She joyfully exposed her neck for the stroke of the axe, but had to linger three days in her blood before she secured the crown of life. “Behold, the bridegroom is on his way; go out to meet him” (Gospel). “Come, spouse of Christ, receive the crown that the Lord has prepared for thee from eternity. For love of Him, thou hast shed thy blood” (Responsory at Matins).
3. “God dwells within her, and she stands unmoved” (Ps. 45:6). With what great zeal did Cecilia set about winning souls for Christ! This prompts the liturgy to sing: “Cecilia, Thy handmaid, O Lord, serves Thee like a busy bee.” “The virgin, crowned with glory, constantly carried the gospel of Christ in her heart and never ceased either by day or night, to carry on holy conversations and to pray” (Antiphon at the Magnificat).
What a magnificent spirit it was that motivated Cecilia! It was the valiant spirit of the Church of martyrs; and it still lives.

Collect: O God, who year by year dost gladden us with the feast of Thy blessed virgin-martyr Cecilia, grant that we who venerate her with sacred rites may also follow her example in holy living. Amen.