The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1899-11-18
ST. CECILIA.

49, NA@OAA@@@-
On Wednesday. Nov %, the Churcl
celebrates the feast of Saint Cecilia
Virgin and Martyr.
Among the innumerable Saints of Goo
whose names suggest so much sweet
ness is that of the Virgin and Martyr
Saint Cecilia. whose faithfulness and
love to the Chant of the. Church ha:
made her the patroness of Church mu
sic. We love to picture her seated al
! the organ and giving soul to the in
strument. 1t is hard to realize that sc
gentle a maiden, so lovely a character
should excite the hatred of tyrants anG
that her delicate frame should be the
object of torture because she would
not worship idols and reject her faith
The saint is not only the queen OF
hymn and chant. the patroness of mu-
sic, she is also the virgin and martyr
whom the Church honors more for her
virtues than for her accomplishments
Saint Cecilia was a native of Rome
Her family We're among the illustri-
Gus in the imperial city. The splendor
|
life she began to practice what faith
| required Day and night she carried a
copy of the gospels hidden in the folds
| of her garments. She made a solemn
vow in secret. by which she conse-
Grated her life to Jesus Christ. in whose
honor she composed hymns, which she
sang with such sweetness that it is
s
listen.
She was an adept in all the instru-
ments of music known at that time,
but they all failed to express the true
harmony which the organ alone can
express. This is the reason which led
her to the invention of this master in
strument of harmony.
This was the instrument (the organ)
that was destined by the Church in it's
music. 1t is said that the Romans
often passed her home in order to hear
her melodious song and music. At 16,
through the insistence of her parents.
she married young Roman nobleman
named Valcrian, who was a Pagan
When alone, she told him of her vow
ready to defend her. Valerian asked
that he might see the angel. She told
him as a condition he must first be
instructed in the religion of Christ
Valerian was instructed and baptized
by Pope Urban. When Valerian re-
turned to Cecilia he heard the most
beautiful music and saw. the angel
standing near her. holding in his hand
two crowns of lilies and roses, which
had been gathered in Uaraside, and
which were placed upon the heads of
the two spouses. His brother Tiburtius
was also converted and baptized. The
two young noblemen began at once the
exercises of mercy and charity by
which they gave encouragement to the
martyrs. The Roman project was in |
censed and commanded them to cease
their works; and as they refused, they |
were scourged and placed in prison,
where they made a convert of their
sacrifice to the idols, and with them |
was put to death. The tyrant ordered |
Cecilia to be brought before him and |
commanded her to offer incense to the
idols She refused The saint was SEN
fenced to suffer death in a closed bath
with fire under it. The great heat
seemed to bring refreshment to her.
and the angel of her life protected her
from the blade OF the executioner. For
three days she was kept in this ter
rible prison, and then God freed her
pure soul.
Saint Cecilia died Nov. 22nd, 23O.
How happy and sweet her life was.
How glorious her DEATH A virgin of
49, with the heroism which belonged to
naturer years, ST. Cecilia has been
me of the most wonderful inspirations
If Christian art. In all she is repre-
'ented at or near the organ. st. Cecilia
vas an inspiration to the famous Pal
,strina, the master of modern church
music. In our own days, Gounod's
greatest masterpiece, the grand and
BEAUTIFUL ''Messe Salennelle,' was
written in honor of Saint Cecilia. The
,reat Catholic poets. Alexander Pope
nd John dryden. wrote some of the
'est productions of their poems in her
lonor.
Every Catholic, young or aged, who
owes harmony, should cultivate ten I
er devotion to the patroness of music '
nd learn from her that Gods choicest
Blessings are in store for those who. !
Nth pure heart, consecrate their
ervices to the praises of God in His I
'hurch. Thousands of Catholic S
'hurch choirs in the world have chosen
er as their patron. and on her feast !
ay receive Holy Communion in her l
onor. What an edifying examplel St. / G
cecilia, pray for us. J. f. r.
THY NEIGHBoR AS THYsELF y {
Thy neighbor as myself Nor flower L
Ie loves; for evil doth he ever look. q
where. goodness is; doth foul for fair {
mistake.
nd sneereth shallowIy where truer p
hearts would break
my neighbor as thyself" Jesu, NOT So. c
cross my lifted paths this groveler S
may not go. "
Thy neighbor as thyselfl9 How griev- I I
ave misread thy words, dear MASTER n
he plying love. yearn for. vet I rail D
the 1oWer-slighter mote, the while h