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Show 1 1 ' - ST. CECILA. On Wednesday, Nov. 22, the Church celebrates the feast of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr. Among the innumerable Saints of God whose names suggest so much sweetness sweet-ness is that of the Virgin and Martyr, Saint Cecilia, whose faithfulness and love to the Chant of the Church has made her the patroness of Church music. mu-sic. We love to picture her seated at the organ and giving soul to the instrument. in-strument. It is hard to realize that so gentle a. maiden, so lovely a character, should excite the hatred of tyrants and that her delicate frame should be the object of torture because she would not worship idols and reject her faith. The saint is not only the queen of hymn and chant, the patroness of music, mu-sic, she Is also the virgin and martyr whom the Church honors more for her virtues than for her accomplishments. Saint Cecilia Was a native of Rome. Her family. were among the illustrious illustri-ous in the imperial city. The splendor of nobility did not attract her. In early life she began- to practice what faith required. Day and night she carried a copy of the gospels hidden in the folds of her garments. She made a solemn vow in secret, by which- she consecrated conse-crated her life to Jesus Christ, in whose nonor sne composed nymns, wnicn sne sang with such sweetness that it is said the angels of heaven stopped to listen. '. She was an adept in all the instruments instru-ments of music known at that time, but they all failed to express the true harmony which the organ alone can express. This is the reason which led her to the invention of this master instrument in-strument of harmony. , This was the instrument (the organ) I that was destined by the Church in its j music. It is said that the Roman often passed her home in order to hear her melodious song and. music. At 16, through the insistence of 'her parents, she married a young Roman nobleman named Valerian, who was a Pagan. When alone, she told him of her vow j ouu ui me augt'i no siooa oy ner ready to defend her. Valerian asked that he might see the angel. She told him as a condition he must first be instructed in the religion of Christ. Valerian was instructed and baptized by Pope Urban. When Valerian returned re-turned to Cecilia he heard the mo3t beautiful music and saw the angel standing near her. holding in his hand two crowns of lilies and rcses, which had been gathered in Uaraside, and which were placed upon the heads of the two spouses. His brother Tiburtius was also converted and baptized. The two young noblemen began at once the exercises of mercy and charity by which they gave encouragement to the martyrs. The Roman prefect was incensed in-censed and commanded them to cease their works; and ae they refused, rhey were( scourged and placed In prison, where they made a convert of their jailer. Maximus, who also refused to sacrifice to the idcls. and with them was put to death. The tyrant ordered Cecilia to be brought before him and commanded her to offer incense to the idols. She refused. The saint was sentenced sen-tenced to suffer death in a closed bath with fire under it. The great heat seemed to bring refreshment to her, and the angel of her life protected her from the blade c the executioner. For three days she was kept in this terrible ter-rible prison, and then God freed her pure soul. Saint Cecilia died Nov. 22nd, 230. How happy and sweet her life was! How glorious her death! A virgin of 1fi. with the heroism whifh hoJnniro in maturer years, St. Cecilia has been one of the most wonderful inspirations of Christian art. In all she is1 represented repre-sented at or near the organ. St. Cecilia was an inspiration to the famous Pal-estrina, Pal-estrina, the master of . modern church music. In our own days, Gounod's greatest masterpiece, the grand and beautiful "Messe Salennelle," was written in honor of Saint Cecilia. The great Catholic poets, Alexander Pope and John Gryden, wrote some of the best productions of their poems in her honor. Every Catholic, young or aged, who loves harmony, should cultivate a tender ten-der devotion to the patroness of music and learn from her that God's choicest blessings are in store for those who. with a pure heart, consecrate their services to the praises of God in His Church. Thousands of Catholic j Church choirs in the world have chosen ! her as their patron, and on her feast day receive Holy Communion in her I honor. What an edifying example! St. Cecilia, pray for us. j. f. R. |
