A Litany of Saints // Saint Cecelia
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Psalm 40:
“I waited patiently for the Lord;
He inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog,
And set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.”
Our choir director begins each practice with a prayer for St. Cecilia’s intercession.
We offer up our humble music-making with the saint who gave her life for Jesus, and is with Him in the heavenly paradise of song. We blend our voices, hoping for just a moment to experience the melody as it would be heard on high. The priest joins with us in prayer as he sings the Sanctus, the prayer of consecration over the bread and wine.
We can all connect through music, to each other and to God. St. Cecilia showed us the way, singing in her heart to the Lord as she was married to Valerian. She was reported to have heard heavenly music on this occasion, and eventually converted both her husband and his brother. All three were martyred in Rome under the rule of Marcus Aurelius. The Romans attempted to behead Cecilia several times, but she did not die until she had received Holy Communion.
Great saints always make me glad that they were given special gifts of grace: courage, intelligence, kindness, love, and in this case, music. People without music in their lives seem to struggle heavily. There have been times in my life when I have been too tired for music, too weary with the world, and too busy with my job or children to appreciate the gifts that music can bring. Music is solace to the lonely, balm to the anxious, comfort to the grieving, and joy for all of us.
I recently discovered an interesting YouTube video of Bono and U2, singing a song they wrote that is titled, “40” for Psalm 40. At the end, Bono hangs a Rosary on his microphone and walks off the stage. I didn’t know he had a love of the Psalms, and the fact that his bandmates supported him in this performance makes me proud of my Irish Catholic roots. -Erin
Reflect: Has it been awhile since you have been able to relax with music?
Reflect: Do you need to re-establish a deeper connection with your favorite song or band?
Act: Crank it up today! From country to zydeco, classical to reggae, you can find your groove. And the next time that you are making or listening to music, remember that those lovely sounds are part of the fabric of history, woven in song. May St. Cecilia smile down on us!
Rev. 15: 3
“And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,
‘Great and wonderful are your deeds,
O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways,
O King of the ages!
