St. Cecilia

Today is the feast of St. Cecilia. She is one of my favorites, for a lot of reasons. She is one of the early Roman martyrs, and the patron of musicians. She was one of those martyrs who were very hard to kill. They tried to suffocate her (I think in a steam bath) and that didn't work. Then they decided to execute her by beheading. Apparently, the law stated that you could only take 3 blows, and after 3 strikes they couldn't keep swinging. So 3 blows failed to completely behead her, and she was left to bleed to death. When they came back a couple of days later, she was lying on her side, and was holding up 3 fingers on 1 hand, and 1 finger on the other (1 God, 3 persons of the Trinity). Her basilica is in Italy (Trastevere) and there is a stone replica of how she was found. She is also an Incorruptible (her body has remained intact), even though she died over 1500 years ago.

Saints are funny things: some never achieve major popularity among the Church Militant. Some are popular for a while, but then become somewhat forgotten by the majority of people. A few remain very popular throughout the centuries, and St. Cecilia is one of those.

Why do I like her so much?
1. She was a consecrated virgin, who was married against her will, and converted her husband to the faith.
2. When they were playing lewd, crude and rude music at her wedding (wow - I knew Aerosmith was old, but I didn't know they were THAT old!) she simply listened with her heart and could hear choirs of angels singing Jesus' praise.
3. Her complete trust and faith in God as she lay bleeding to death. With beheading for being a Christian a possibility again (Religion of Peace, my eye!) I only hope that I could be 1/10th as strong as she was.
4. Her ability to leave a message of faith as she lay dying.
5. Being Incorruptible is sooo cool!

Here's a link for more info:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03471b.htm

St. Cecilia, pray for us!