Old Testement

St. Cecilia

This Catholic fine art print is centered on St. Cecilia who was a virgin and martyr of the third century and is the patron saint of music. The story of St. Cecilia, like that of many of the saints venerated in the fourth and fifth centuries, is by itself a romance, a story. According to church history, Cecilia was a maiden of noble birth. At an early age, she dedicated her life to God with a vow of chastity. She, however, was betrothed and married to a young noble named Valerian. On her wedding day, she prayed to the Lord and asked Him to protect her virginity. History records, "The day on which the wedding was to be held arrived and while musical instruments were playing she was singing in her heart to God alone saying: Make my heart and my body pure that I may not be confounded" (McKinnon 46).

Many historians believe that this text lead to the eventual naming of Cecilia as the patroness of music. In the original Latin, the term for musical instruments is "cantantibus organis," and in later texts it was translated that she was playing an organ instead of listening to music as she prayed (McKinnon 46). St. Cecilia's prayers were answered, and Valerian was willing to take her as his wife without forcing her to break her vow. Not only did he accept her vow of chastity, he and his brother Tiburtius were both converted to Christianity and were baptized by Pope Urban I (Catholic On-line Encyclopedia).

At this time, Christianity was still illegal in Rome. Both Valerian and his brother Tiburtius were soon discovered as professed Christians and were martyred. Cecilia was discovered soon after and met a similar fate. It required two attempts, however, before the death of Cecilia was successful. She was first locked in a bath in her own home to be suffocated by the steam. When she emerged from the bath unharmed, she was then beheaded. The stroke of the axe failed to sever her head from her body, however, and she lived for three days. During this time, she saw to the disbursement of her assets to help the poor, and she donated her home to the ecclesiastical authorities to be used as a church. In the fifth century, this church was considered to be the one at Trastevere, which bears her name. Cecilia is believed to be buried at the Catacomb of Callistus.

Above the painting of St. Cecelia is the martyr’s crown, which Cecilia won by her faithfulness to Christ. Above the crown are three flames representing the three theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity, which were infused at Cecilia’s Baptism and which she cooperated with to an heroic degree. Below her is a sword a symbol sign of her martyrdom. Below

the sword are three lilies, which are symbols of her virginity. On each side of these symbols are eight organ pipes, which are symbols of her being the patroness of musicians.

Catholic fine art prints - innerwindows.net