Saint Cecilia, sweet songbird of Heaven

     I, myself, have a sweet grandchild named Cecilia. We call her Cece for short. She's everything a GG could ask for. She's intelligent, funny, competent, does well at school, is loyal and fearless. Just like Saint Cecilia. Every time the priest uses her name in the Liturgy of the Mass, my heart swells with joy as I immediately think of her. She's getting older now and I pray that someday she comes to know she has a sweet and loyal friend in her namesake, Saint Cecilia. 

     Saint Cecilia was a wonderful musician along with being a beautiful woman. Her beauty was illuminated a million times more in her love for God. She was a Roman Christian martyr, who lived in the year 180 ad. In Rome Italy. She had a Guardian Angel that she was able to see and talk to. As the musicians played at her wedding, Cecilia "sang in her heart to the Lord". Long before her betrothal, she made a vow of virginity. A man, named Valerian was betrothed to her and she told him of this vow and that her Guardian Angel kept watch over her. Valerian was a pagan whom her parents forced her to marry. She told Valerian that her "angel of the Lord "would punish him badly if he violated her in any way, but would love him deeply if he respected her Virginity. When Valerian asked to see her Angel, Cecilia replied that he would be able to if he got baptized. After following Cecilia's instructions, he saw the Angel standing beside her, crowning her with roses and lilies. 

     Cecilia and Valerian and his brother were all martyred at the hands of Furcius Almachius. A crual and brutal prefect who hated God and Christians. It is said, that after being struck three times on the neck with a sword, Cecilia still live for 3 days, dying with three fingers extended representing God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

     Her tomb was reopened in 1599 and multiple witnesses found her body still intact, still incorrupt. She seemed to look to be simply sleeping. 

     "Our" sweet Cecilia has a wonderful mentor in St Cecilia. As she grows in years, I pray, she comes to know her well. Relying on this beloved friend, this beloved Saint, for intercession and knowledge of her own path to Heaven. Naming your child after a Saint is of great value to you and to that child. Giving pleasure to God as He has already molded marvelous examples of Faith and Love in the Saints who have gone before us. Ready and waiting to hold our hands and lead us to be with Him in Heaven, glorifying together Our God with all of the Saints that have gone before us. 

     Take care of our Cecilia, oh great Saint. Where someday in Heaven, she will join her voice in song along with yours.