Saint Cecilia

Today is the Memorial for St. Cecilia, the Patroness of Musicians. 

The name Cecilia comes from the Latin word that means "blind." She was a virgin and martyr. It is said that she was forced to marry in spite of her vow to remain a virgin.  The wedding feast was held and when the time came for the marriage to be consummated she told her new husband that she was under the protection of an angel and he should not attempt to interfere with her state in life.  For his part, he asked to see the angel.  Cecilia told him that if he went to see Pope Urban and was baptized, he would then be able to see the angel.  Valerian, who was a pagan at this moment, did what she suggested and he saw the angel that was protecting Cecilia.  He now believed and embraced Christianity. 

It was not long after this that Cecilia and her husband refused to sacrifice to the Roman gods.  In Rome, the gods were respected as a tradition.  Most Romans knew that the gods that they worshipped had no real power, but it was part of being a Roman to pay these statues lip service along with a pinch of incense.  Of course, if you were a Christian you would refuse to do this.  They did their best to try to convince you to sacrifice.  After all, they were not barbarians looking to kill innocent people.  Besides, what's a little pinch of incense mean?  Everyone does it.  Well, everyone did not include Cecilia and her husband Valerian.  They were denounced and the husband was the first to be martyred followed by Cecilia.  Legend says that they attempted to smother her but could not so she was turned over to the swordsman who hacked at her head three times and could not cut it off properly.  Legend also says that she lived for several days in this condition but eventually dying a martyrs death.  But why is she the patroness of musicians?  Legend states that at the wedding feast she stayed off by herself and sang hymns of joy in her heart to God.  

So, I can see where the reading about the mother losing her sons is very appropriate to this memorial for Cecilla for like the mother and her sons, she held out and remained loyal to God.  Today I live in the United States, a country that provides by law the freedom to worship as you please.  In the time let to me on this earth I do not think I will be called to be a blood martyr.  But I wonder, don't you, that if presented with the choice of burning a pinch of incense or choosing to die for my faith, which I would choose. As for Cecilia and her husband, perhaps they remembered the old saying, "Be thou faithful unto death and I shall give thee the crown of life."  

PLEASE REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY TODAY.  I PRAY FOR MY RELATIVES, FRIENDS WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY, AND ESPECIALLY FOR THE SOUL THAT HAS BEEN THERE THE LONGEST AND WHO HAS NO ONE TO PRAY FOR HIM OR HER.  REMEMBER, AS THEY ARE, SOMEDAY YOU MIGHT BE!