The Feast of Saint Cecilia
About this article
This article is a sample from the Saint Mary's Press Book Take Ten: daily Bible Reflections for Teens. Please feel free to use these reflections with you young people.The Feast of Saint Cecilia
"All their neighbors aided them with silver vessels,
with gold, with goods,with animals,
and with valuable gifts."
(Ezra 1:6)
Very little is known of Saint Cecilia. It is thought that she was martyred for her faith. She is the patron saint of musicians and is usually pictured with some kind of musical instrument. Music is a valuable gift in our lives. Even more than the gold or goods used by the priest Ezra to rebuild the Temple, it has the power to uplift and comfort, and to inspire. If you have musical ability, use it to enrich your friends and family, people in a nursing home, or your choir. There is also a saying, Whoever sings, prays twice. So whatever your singing ability may be, sing at Mass . . . remember, you are praying twice!
Thank you, God, for the birds that sing to us and for all people who lift our hearts with their music.
>To go deeper: Pray Psalm 150, Part 2, near Psalm 150 in The Catholic Youth Bible.
You can purchase this resource here: Take Ten
The scriptural quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Catholic Edition (NRSV). Copyright © 1993 and 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. All rights reserved.
Acknowledgments
Copyright © 2009 Saint Mary's Press. Permission is granted for this article to be freely used for classroom or campus ministry purposes; however, it may not be republished in any form without the explicit permission of Saint Mary's Press. For more resources to support your ministry, call 800-533-8095 or visit our Web site at www.smp.org.Published October 1, 2004.
