Feast of Saint Cecilia
Patron saint of music
COME CELEBRATE THE FEAST OF ST CECILIA WITH US!
St Cecilia is the patron saint of our parish and every year on her feast day, we celebrate her life. She was an early martyr of the Catholic Church, dying for her faith. She was a wealthy Roman girl born around 200 AD (but her official dates of birth and death are unknown), who heard music from heaven, and converted her husband and brother-in-law to Catholicism when she married. They then went and saved other Christians from being buried disrespectfully, but were arrested and killed. St Cecilia was also killed, from a wound in her neck. She died preaching the Word of God.
St. Cecilia's Feast Day Celebration
Friday, Nov 22, 2013, 06:30 PM
St Cecilia's Parish Church, City, Melbourne 3000
Agenda
6:30: Liturgy honouring life of St Cecilia
7:15: Supper in foyer of church hall
8:00: Concert in church hall, with famous hymns and prayers to St Cecilia
Why did St Cecilia become a saint and why is she the patron saint of music?
She became a saint because she communicated with angels, did good works, and died preaching the Word of God. She also heard heavenly music. In art she is usually depicted with a musical instrument such as an organ. St Cecilia is also the patron saint of musicians.
When did St Cecilia become a saint?
She was declared to be a saint by the leaders of the early Catholic Church, because she was martyred (died for her belief in God). The official date of her death is unknown, but she would have been proclaimed a saint shortly afterwards. Her special day is known as a 'feast day' or memorial.
Interesting facts about St Cecilia
- she is always depicted in art as playing a musical instrument, usually the organ
- she survived for three days after she was stabbed to death
- there is a church built on her place of death
- the season on the liturgical year which her feast day falls on is Ordinary Time