This Prayer to St. Cecilia asks the patron saint of musicians to intercede for all who sing, play and compose, that their music may lift hearts to God. The traditional Collect of her feast, November 22, follows.
Dear Saint Cecilia, one thing we know for certain about you is that you became a heroic martyr in fidelity to your divine Bridegroom. We do not know that you were a musician but we are told that you heard Angels sing. Inspire musicians to gladden the hearts of people by filling the air with God’s gift of music and reminding them of the divine Musician who created all beauty. Amen.
St. Cecilia, by Guercino (1649). Public domain.
O God, who dost gladden us with the yearly festival of blessed Cecilia, Thy Virgin and Martyr, grant that we who honor her by this solemn rite may follow the example of her godly life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.
Pray it on November 22, her feast, or before a choir rehearsal, music lesson, concert or Mass. Musicians may ask her prayers for humility, perseverance and the grace to serve rather than seek attention; families can pray it for children learning an instrument. The prayer follows EWTN, and the Collect is from the traditional Roman Missal (propers for November 22).
St. Cecilia was a virgin and martyr of the early Church in Rome. Ancient tradition tells of her consecrated virginity, her husband Valerian’s conversion and her death for Christ, and her name is among the martyrs remembered in the Roman Canon of the Mass.
Her association with music grew from the traditional account that, while instruments played at her wedding, Cecilia sang in her heart to God alone. Sacred art came to picture her at the organ, and musicians adopted her as their patron.
Musicians ask for her prayers so that their work may express beauty, serve others and direct hearts toward God, especially in the sacred liturgy.
