| | Following her instructions, Valerian became baptized and upon returning home, found his wife praying in her chamber with an angel crowning her with a chaplet of roses and lilies. Shortly after, Valerian’s brother Tibertius entered and was astounded at the fragrance and beauty of the flowers present at that time of year. When he heard the story of the angel, Tibertius was also converted and asked to be baptized. Converted and on fire for Christ, Valerian and Tibertius devoted the rest of their lives to giving proper burials to the saints who were persecuted and killed by the prefect of their city. Eventually being brought before the prefect themselves, the brothers were ordered to make a sacrifice to the pagan gods, and upon refusal, were executed. | | | | During this time, Saint Cecilia had been devoting her time to her own ministry. She continually preached the message of Christ and converted over 400 people. She too was eventually brought before the prefect for her ministries, and was condemned to multiple executions. She was first sentenced to be suffocated in the baths, but despite being shut in over night with roaring fires, she was brought out the next morning completely unharmed. After this, she was ordered to be decapitated, but despite three strikes by the executioner, was only left bleeding. St. Cecilia continued to bleed and lived for three more days. During these final days, she continued to preach and offer prayers to all those that gathered around her. On the third day, St. Cecilia passed away and was buried by Pope Urbanus. | | | | Saint Cecilia was buried at the Catacombs of St. Callistus, and her remains were later transferred to the Church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere. In 1599, church officials exhumed her body and found it to be incorrupt. St. Cecilia is one of the most revered early Roman martyrs and one of the seven women commemorated in the Canon of the Mass. She is regarded as the patron saint of music because it is said that she heard heavenly music play when she was married. For this, she is often depicted playing an organ, harp, or other musical instruments. | St. Cecillia, Pray for us! |
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