Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr

Much of the knowledge about Cecilia is based on Tradition. Cecilia was born in Rome, the daughter of patrician parents, and was raised as a Christian. When of a suitable age, she was married against her will to Valerian. After their marriage, she converted Valerian and his brother, Tiburtius, to Christianity. Valerian and Tiburtius devoted themselves to good works until they were arrested by the Roman prefect, Almachius. They were martyred, together with Maximus, a Roman official, who had been so impressed by their witness to Christ that he too became a Christian. These three martyrs are also saints. Cecilia buried the three and was, in turn, arrested and called upon to renounce her faith. Instead she converted her persecutors. She was ultimately martyred for her faith and we honor her for that today.

Only a very strong faith could withstand the pressures and threats that faced Cecilia and the martyrs of her time. Instead of caving in to those pressures, Cecilia, her husband, and brother-in-law brought more converts into the Church. By word and by example, we too can both strengthen our faith and bring others to Christ.