Cecilia 			November 22
Martyr at Rome
Despite the fact that Cecilia came to be one of the most revered saints of the early church, we know almost nothing about her. Even her popularity stems in the main from the colourful story told in the completely unhistorical legends written about her at the end of the fifth century.
According to the legend Cecilia was a young patrician Roman, betrothed to a pagan, Valerian. She refused to consummate her marriage, and both her husband and his brother Tibertius were converted to Christianity and then died as martyrs along with another man, Maximus. Cecilia herself was then arrested and, refusing to offer the sacrifices demanded, was put to death. This is supposed to have taken place some time in the third century, but Christian writers of the time who show an interest in the Christian martyrs know nothing of her at all. Ironically, Valerian, Tibertius, and Maximus are known historical martyrs, but their association with Cecilia is unknown apart from the legend. Many Christian legends are embellishments of historical characters, and it is possible that the history lying behind the story of Cecilia concerns the founding of a church in the Trastevere district of Rome by a Roman matron named Cecilia.
Cecilia is best known as the patron saint of music, and is commemorated mainly for that reason. This association dates from the sixteenth century, and seems to stem from the use of part of the legend of Cecilia as an antiphon, with a reference in it to organs playing at her wedding feast while Cecilia sang of her purity.
For Liturgical Use
The traditional story of Cecilia’s refusal to consummate her marriage and of her eventual martyrdom for refusing to offer pagan worship is no earlier than the late fifth century. Historical information about her martyrdom in the third century is unavailable. However, her story was very popular, and she became the patron saint of music from the sixteenth century. That is the main reason for her commemoration today, giving as it does an occasion for celebrating music in worship.
Sentence
Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth; worship with gladness, and enter the Lord’s presence with songs of joy.	Psalm 100:1,2
Collects
God of beauty and harmony,
the heavens proclaim your glory,
and in adoration the peoples sing:
“Let heaven and earth rejoice in tuneful accord.”
May we with heart, mind and voice
honour you in worship and in witness
to the praise of your glorious name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
God of harmony and of every beautiful sound,
on this Cecilia’s Day, we praise you
for all who make music to delight us as we worship you;
our song will be of martyrdom, of purity and courage;
our song will be of forgiveness and hope.
Psalms	108:1-6	150
Readings
1 Chronicles 25:1a,6-8	Musicians of the Lord
Ephesians 5:15-20		Making melody
Luke 6:20-23		Happiness
Post Communion Sentence
O sing to the Lord a new song; give praise in the assembly of the faithful.	Psalm 149:1