Sunday 21 September 2008

Cecilia a Christian maiden




"For over a thousand years Cecilia has been one of the most greatly venerated of the maiden martyrs of the early Church

She vowed her virginity to God, but her parents married her to Valerian of Trastevere. Cecilia told her new husband that she was accompanied by an angel, but in order to see it, he must be purified.

He agreed to the purification, and was baptised; returning from the ceremony, he found her in prayer accompanied by a praying angel.
The angel placed a crown on each of their heads, and offered Valerian a favor; the new convert asked that his brother be baptised.

Her husband and his brother developed a ministry of giving proper burial to martyred Christians. In their turn they were arrested and martyred for their faith.
Cecilia buried them at her villa on the Apprian Way, and was arrested for the action. She was ordered to sacrifice to false gods; when she refused, she was martyred in her turn.

Cecilia was often heard singing with all her heart a hymn of love for Jesus. It was this phrase that led to her association with music, singers, musicians, etc.
She was martyred in 117.

The evil officials attempted to kill her by locking her in an overheated sweat-house. However, the attempt failed, and she was to be beheaded. The executioner attempted to decapitate her three times unsuccessfully, at which time he fled.
Cecilia survived another three days before succumbing.

Her story has been corrupted over the years like many other
But her true testimony of her love for Jesus always shines through.



2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I knew a girl who had an amazing experience in 1994. The very 1st person she told n showed proof of her experience was 1 of her best friends, CECEILIA!!! (I never knew about St. Ceceilia.)

Billy said...

GLAD YOU WAS BLESSED