St. Cecilia

Biography & Overview

Cecilia of Rome was a Christian virgin martyr, who is venerated in Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and some Lutheran churches, such as the Church of Sweden. She became the patron saint of music and musicians, it being written that, as the musicians played at her wedding, Cecilia "sang in her heart to the Lord". Musical compositions are dedicated to her, and her feast, on 22 November, is the occasion of concerts and musical festivals.
Cecilia is one of several virgin martyrs commemorated by name in the Canon of the Mass in the Latin Church. The church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, founded in the 3rd century by Pope Urban I, is believed to be on the site of the house where she lived and died.