St. Cecilia

"St. Cecilia," by artist John William Waterhouse, 1895

Today I'm not choosing a world holiday to write about in this month-long project of mine. Instead, I'm going a different direction, since it's my project and my blog, and I can write about whatever I want to write about!

Today is the feast day of St. Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians, who lived and was martyred in the 3rd century. I have seen differing stories about why Cecilia was named the patron saint of musicians, but they seem to hold in common that she either heard or sang music at her wedding.  It's also clear that she made a confession of faith and was intended by nefarious folk to be killed by being closed up with a very hot steam bath, essentially steamed to death. She survived that, so the attempt was made to behead her. It didn't immediately work despite the sword dropping three times. She lived another three days with the mortal wound before succumbing.

I can understand why Cecilia loved music. Music has been hugely important to my family, and important in my own life. My growing up years were spent in music lessons and music ensembles, all the way through a music minor in college. I'm happy living life with music playing in the background, as it is while I write this. I intend to be involved with music one way or another as long as I can do so, and I love the image in Revelation of God's redeemed singing on the sea of glass someday. I can't wait!

When Husband and I got married, we chose the theme of thankfulness for our wedding. We had the congregation sing the hymn with us early in the service. Much of the organ music revolved around this theme as well, with three of the pieces being various arrangements of "Now Thank We All Our God."  St. Cecilia, I'm sure, would have loved it. Here, for your enjoyment, is the Karg-Elert version, played by Diane Bish.  It was our recessional music.