All Else Confusion

St. According to popular history, Cecilia was a young woman of noble birth. Though she vowed virginity, her parents married her to a young noble named Valerian. Valerian honored Cecilia's vow and became Christian himself, along with his brother. Both Valerian and his brother were discovered to be Christians and martyred. St. Cecilia buried her husband and his brother and thus was also discovered to be a Christian. She was locked in her bathroom to be suffocated by steam. However, she emerged unharmed and so was next beheaded. The first stroke failed to sever her head from her neck and she lived three days. She is buried in the Catacomb of Callistus outside of Rome.

St. Cecilia is the patron saint of music and is often pictured playing an organ.

Collect:Lord of mercy,
be close to those who call upon you.
With St. Cecilia to help us
hear and answer our prayers.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Labels: Feast Day