Biography of St. Cecilia, and her Martyrdom

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St. Cecilia was believed to be born in 2nd century Rome. She was an only child in a wealthy Roman family, was well-educated, and had been a devout Christian from early in her childhood. Cecilia had vowed her virginity to God, but she was promised in marriage to a pagan man named Valerian. She wore sackcloth, fasted, and prayed to the saints and angels hoping to keep her promise to God. On their wedding night, Cecilia informed Valerian that an angel guarded her body and that Valerian must not disrespect her vow of virginity. Her prayers were answered, and Valerian was willing to take her as his wife without forcing her to break her vow. Her husband wanted to see the angel that guarded her, but Cecilia told him that he would need to be baptized in order to do so. Valerian went to be baptized by Pope Urban, and returned to Cecilia as a Christian. When he returned, he saw Cecilia praying in her bedroom. Next to her was an angel with flaming wings, and he was holding two crowns of rose and lilies. He crowned both and them, and then vanished.

Shortly after their crowning, Valerian’s brother Tibertius had heard the story of how they had attained their crowns, and he also wanted to be baptized. After the two brothers were baptized, they dedicated themselves to burying the martyrs put to death daily by the prefect of the city, Turcius Almachius. In turn, they were arrested and brought before the prefect, and when they refused to sacrifice to the gods, they were sentenced to death and executed. An officer of Almachius was appointed to carry out the execution. Instead, he too was converted to Christianity and was martyred along with Tibertius and Valerian. At this time, Christianity was still illegal in Rome. In the meantime, Cecilia con...

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...better. Being in band and playing the flute taught me that sometimes doing things that are deemed uncool by popular culture make you a better person in the long run. I have learned so much about life and friendship in those five years that I could not have learned anywhere else. I also chose the name Cecilia since she is the patron saint of church music. Because I love to sing, I joined my school’s choir last year, and I was also in the choir in elementary school. She is truly an inspiration to me, and I admire her for what she did during her life. I hope that she will bless me and guide me throughout the rest of my life here on earth.

Works Cited

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=34

http://www.saintcecilia.us/

http://www.aquinasandmore.com/catholic-articles/Saint-Cecilia/article/207

http://www.viarosa.com/VR/StCecilia/Rosaries+Chaplets.html

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