Roman Inc - Saint Cecilia - Patron of Music

ROMAN INC - SAINT CECILIA - PATRON OF MUSIC

Figurine comes nicely displayed in a box with a front window, with a prayer on the front and the story of the Saint on the back, and a prayer card inside.

"Prayer to Saint Cecilia:
O glorious saint, who chose to die instead of denying your King, we pray you please to help us as His fair praise we sing! We lift our hearts in joyous song to honor Him this way, and while we sing, remembering, to sing is to doubly pray. At once in our hearts and in our tongues, we offer double prayer sent heavenward on winged notes to praise God dwelling there. While in our hearts and tongues we try with song to praise God twice, we ask dear saint, to help us be united close to Christ!"

Cecilia was a young Christian noblewoman of Rome who was given in marriage to a noble pagan named Valerian. On their wedding night, Cecilia told her new husband that she had made a vow of virginity to God, and she was protected by an angel. When Valerian converted to Christianity, he too saw Cecilia's guardian angel. Cecilia and Valerian were also able to convert Valerin's brother, Tibertius. The two brothers then devoted themselves to burying slain martyrs, but they were arrested and martyred for their acts of faith. Cecilia was arrested for burying their bodies and was given the choice of sacrificing to the heathen gods or being put to death. Cecilia would not renounce her faith and was condemned to death.
Because of her nobility and youth, the authorities decided to execute her in secret to avoid criticism by the people. She was confined to the sauna bath of her home to die of suffocation. Cecilia survived, so it was ordered that she be beheaded. Cecilia was struck three times with a sword and fell to the floor, mortally wounded. She lived for three days lying on her right side, her hands crossed in prayer. She was laid to rest in the catacomb of St. Callistus. A large basilica was built over the spot.
In 1599, Cardinal Sfondrato ordered the restoration of some parts of the basilica. During the course of the work, two white marble sarcophagi were discovered, containing the relics of the holy martyrs. The Cardinal had the sarcophagi opened in the presence of witnesses. St. Cecilia's body was found to be incorrupt after more than 1300 years. Before her body was reinterred, the sculptor Stefano Maderno carved a statue of her in the exact position in which she died.
St. Cecilia became the Patroness of music because it was said that she heard heavenly music in her heart when she became married.

Feast Day:  November 22

Material: Resin, Stone Mix
Dimensions: Approx. H 8.3cm x W 5cm