Saint Cecilia is a virgin and martyr. She died in the year 117 A.D. and is one of seven martyred women mentioned in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I). A noble Roman virgin, she was martyred for her unwillingness to sacrifice to the pagan gods.
Who was Saint Cecilia? Cecilia, a Roman virgin of noble origin, was brought up from her infancy in the Christian faith, and vowed her virginity to God. Against her will, she was given in marriage to Valerian; but on the first night of the nuptials she thus addressed him: Valerian, I am under the care of an angel, who is the guardian of my virginity; wherefore beware of doing what might kindle God’s wrath against thee. Valerian moved by these words respected her wishes, and even said that he would believe in Christ if he could see the angel. On Cecilia telling him this could not be unless he received baptism, he, being very desirous of seeing the angel, replied that he was willing to be baptized. Taking the virgin’s advice, he went to Pope Urban, who on account of the persecution was hiding among the tombs of the martyrs on the Appian Way. And by him, he was baptized.
Then returning to Cecilia, he found her at prayer, and beside her an angel shining with divine brightness. He was amazed at the sight; but as soon as he had recovered from his fear, he sought out his brother Tiburtius; who also was instructed by Cecilia in the faith of Christ, and after being baptized by Pope Urban was favored like this brother with the sight of the angel. Both of them shortly afterwards courageously suffered martyrdom under the prefect Almachius. This latter next commanded Cecilia to be apprehended, and commenced by asking her what had become of the property of Tiburtius and Valerian.
The Martyrdom of Cecilia
The virgin answered that it had all been distributed among the poor; at which the prefect was so enraged, the he commanded her to be led back to the her own house, and put to death by heat of the bath. When, after spending a day and a night there, she remained unhurt by the fire, an executioner was sent to dispatch her; who, not being able with three strokes of the axe to cut off her head, left her half dead. Three days later, on the tenth of the Kalends of December, she took her flight to heaven, adorned with the double glory of virginity and martyrdom. It was in the reign of the emperor Alexander. Pope Urban buried her body in the cemetery of Callixtus; and her house was converted into a church and dedicated in her name. Pope Paschal I translated her body into the city together with those of Popes Urban and Lucius, and of Tiburtius, Valerian, and Maximus, and placed them all in this church of St. Cecilia.
What is Saint Cecilia the patroness of? Saint Cecilia is the patron of music because as her enemies attempted to behead her, she sang hymns of praise to God.
Source: Abbot Gueranger, OSB, The Liturgical Year, Vol. 15