Music Maiden - Cecilia - The One Year Women in Christian History Devotional

SECOND OR THIRD CENTURY

What will you be known for? Is there some trait, some activity, some contribution that future generations will remember about you? In the case of a Roman girl named Cecilia, it was singing. She became a patron saint of music in the Catholic church and beyond.

Despite a rich tradition surrounding her, there’s very little we actually know for sure about Cecilia. She lived in the second century . . . or the third. She was martyred in Rome . . . or maybe Sicily. Her death is commemorated on September 16 . . . or August 11 . . . or maybe November 22.

A fanciful story about her circulated during the fifth century. It involved the arranged marriage of Cecilia to a pagan named Valerian, who soon became a Christian, along with his brother. The two brothers were arrested and killed for their faith. Before Cecilia could be arrested, she arranged for her house to be used for Christian worship in the years to come. Authorities tried to kill her in various ways, but she hung on for three days—during which time she was preaching to visitors . . . and singing.

How much is fact and how much is fancy? It’s hard to say. But the music is one morsel of this legend that has stuck. It was said that Cecilia heard heavenly music when she married Valerian—perhaps a foretaste of the groom’s conversion? And her deathbed crooning inspired the faithful, not only then and there, but throughout the centuries. Raphael painted her, Chaucer wrote about her, and Handel hailed her in music. Some say Paul Simon’s pop song “Cecilia” invokes this saint as his muse.

So . . . what will you be known for? All the money you’ve earned or the people you’ve touched? The house you live in or how you use it to show hospitality? Your power in the neighborhood or your love for your neighbors?

Or maybe, like Cecilia, you’ll be remembered for the songs in your heart and the praises on your lips.

I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the LORD with music.

Psalm 27:6