Saint Cecilia of Rome: life, legend and prayers
Cecilia, born in Rome in the 2nd century, grew up in a wealthy pagan family. From a young age, she was drawn to the Christian religion and dedicated her life to God and prayer. During a secret ceremony, the young woman officially made a vow of chastity and dedicated her life to Christ. Cecilia is an example of holiness, courage, and dedication. The patron saintof musicians and music, she is celebrated on November 22.
The Life of Saint Cecilia
Despite her desire for a life dedicated to God, Saint Cecilia's parents arranged for her to marry a pagan named Valerian. On their wedding night, refusing to break her vow of chastity, Cecilia revealed to her husband that she was a Christian and begged him to convert. To her great surprise, Valerian accepted. He asked the bishop to baptize him. The couple thus lived a life of devotion to God, using their wealth to help the poor and support Christians. Through their example of piety, they were at the origin of many conversions, including that of Valerian's brother, Tiburtius. Together, they worked to spread the gospel. Their missionary work finally caught the attention of the authorities and Prefect Turcius Almachius, who ordered them to renounce their faith and cease their evangelization. In case of refusal, they would be sentenced to death. Courageous and steadfast in their faith, Cecilia, Valerian, and Tiburtius redoubled their piety by reaffirming their love for the Lord. They died as martyrs, by the sword, because of this. The Legend of Saint Cecilia This legend was transmitted by Jacques de Voragine in The Golden Legend (a work that recounts the lives of about 150 saints and martyrs, written between 1261 and 1266). It is said that on her wedding night, when Cecilia confided to Valerian the secret of her conversion, she allegedly uttered these words:
I have an angel who watches over my body with extreme care. If he notices in the slightest that you touch me, driven by a love that stains me, he will immediately strike you, and you would lose the flower of your charming youth; but if he sees that you love me with a sincere love, he will love you as he loves me, and he will show you his glory.
Then, Valerian, touched by the grace of God, replied: “If you want me to believe you, let me see this angel, and if I make sure that he is really an angel of God, I will do what you urge me to do; but if you love another man, I will strike you both with my sword. ».
Then Cecilia made him read the Gospel of Saint Luke, he renounced idols and converted. It was Pope Urban who prepared him for baptism and baptized him at Easter. Saint Cécile was the cause of many other conversions.
Three beautiful prayers to Saint Cecilia
Prayer to ask Saint Cecilia to intercede for us
“O Saint Cecilia, whom God glorifies with so many miracles and whom the Church of Jesus Christ has named patroness of Music and Songs, deign to consider our prayers and supplications. You who are the Protectress of harmonies and human symphonies, we turn to you. Show, as your fame increasingly manifests from the heights of Heaven, that a holy voice like yours is a powerful intercession for us and that we can rely on your help. Obtain for us the grace we ask of you, as well as the grace to remain faithful to Jesus Christ through Mary, throughout our lives. Amen.”
Prayers for the protection of Saint Cecilia
Oh, Saint Cecilia! Daughter of God, glorious virgin, and faithful spouse of Jesus Christ. I come to you because I am in need of your divine protection and salvation. I am a simple sinner, behind God, praying for His forgiveness, His will, and His intercession with Jesus Christ. I ask you to grant me the charity of divine protection, prosperity, and the grace of virtue on the path to purity in these difficult times. You know that I work with my hands and depend on them for the skill of playing music in the name of God, so please, grant them special protection. Madam, take care of all evil, injuries, and accidents. Give me strength, rhythm, confidence, knowledge, honor, harmony, and success, for without them, I will be incomplete. With your protective cloak, I pray for you to protect my family and loved ones. You who loved Jesus Christ so much in life, you experienced in your flesh the terrors that unbelievers bring with them; the false accusations, deceptions, and betrayals that you endured, teach me to be strong in the face of adversity. Give me Saint Cecilia, only a tenth of your courage, and I will be as strong as God desires. Oh, Holy Virgin, hear my prayers that I offer you with all my heart. Amen!
Prayer to ask for the musical graces of Saint Cecilia
We pray for all musicians, so that they may use their gifts to uplift and inspire others, and that they may always remember the source of their talents. We pray for all those who seek to live a life of faith and devotion, so that they may follow her example of courage and steadfastness in the face of persecution. Oh Saint Cecilia, pray for us, so that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.
Continue your prayer to Saint Cecilia with Hozana!
Pray to the Lord in sound with this audio novena!
Entrust yourself by praying this 9 day novena to St. Joseph. Pray and intercede with confidence, experiencing the powerful graces through his intercession.
