INSPIRING NOVENA TO SAINT CECILIA (VIRGIN & MARTYR), PATRON SAINT OF MUSIC AND MUSICIANS: DAY 4

O God, come to my aid+
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

—Pause for an “Examination of Conscience”—

I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
(strike breast) through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

Daily Prayer to St. Cecilia

St. Cecilia, I confide in your intercession because you generously offered your life as a sacrifice for the love of Jesus, to whom you were devoted with your whole heart and soul. Jesus will not refuse your prayers. Beg Jesus to grant me this favour: [Mention your need(s) here…] For the sake of Jesus Christ, who filled your heart with pure and heroic love, who crowned you with the glorious crown of martyrdom, who permitted your body to remain incorrupt through these many centuries, and who willed that your memory be praised by the Church at every Holy Day Mass, I earnestly ask you to intercede for me. I resign myself entirely to the Holy Will of God. Help me to imitate your faith and love of God, that I may be ready to make any sacrifice for my Catholic faith. Through your prayers may I someday reach heaven and praise with you the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the loving Spouse of your soul and mine. Amen.

Short Meditation
(Life of Saint Cecilia)

Day 4

(Martyrdom of her husband and in-law)

When Valerian’s brother, Tiburtius, found out about the angel, he also asked to be baptized. Both brothers devoted their lives giving proper burials to the saints who were persecuted and killed by the prefect of their city, Turcius Almachius.

Valerian and Tiburtius were eventually arrested for their so-called “subversive activities” and brought before Turcius Almachius. He ordered them to make a sacrifice to the pagan gods but they refused and for this, they were sentenced to death. Their executioner was a man named Maximus, a Roman soldier. Maximus was amazed at the great courage and joy these men had in the face of death. How happy and willing they were to die for their faith! This was a great witness to Maximus. Because of their holy zeal, Valerian and Tiburtius became the instruments of the conversion of Maximus. The three were executed together and received their crowns of martyrdom in the year 229.

It is believed that they were killed in Rome, although some records state Sicily. They were buried in the place of Praetextatus. In the year 740, Pope Gregory III had their monument repaired. Adrian I had a church erected under their patronage. Pope Paschal, however, transferred their remains to Rome and had them placed in the Church of St. Cecilia, where they remain today.

Lesson & Prayer

I’m inspired to share something with you from today’s meditation…

We see by the conversion of these men how contagious the faith can be when we live our lives in holy zeal. St. Cecilia, by her example, converted her husband and he in turn by his virtue drew the attention of his brother who also was converted. The two brothers, in their great joy and courage, were able to bring Maximus, a pagan soldier, to the Lord. What an example these saints are still showing us today — if we live our lives in great love and devotion, we too can draw others to Jesus!

Heavenly Father, forgive us for the times we are silent in the face of evil. Forgive us for lost opportunities to tell others about Jesus. Help us, Father, to be like these holy martyrs, Sts. Tiburtius, Valerian and Maximus. May we recall their lives when we are pondering whether to speak and in boldness may we speak the truth always. Amen.

Pause and reflect for a moment…

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

DAY 4 PRAYER

Saint Cecilia, born to parents of illustrious wealth, you wore a hair-shirt under your fine clothing, prayed fervently, and always helped those in need. Help us oh Holy Virgin-martyr in our spiritual poverty to understand what we really need.

We seek your prayers for… (Mention your intentions here…) St. Cecilia, we ask for your intercession because you generously offered your life for the love of Jesus, who you were devoted to with your heart and soul. Graciously hear our prayers. Amen.

Our Father…3 Hail Marys…Glory be…

LITANY OF ST. CECILIA

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us. (repeat after each line)
St. Cecilia,
St. Cecilia, wise virgin,
St. Cecilia, whose heart burned with the fire of divine love,
St. Cecilia, apostle by your zeal and charity,
St. Cecilia, who converted your spouse and procured for him the crown of martyrdom,
St. Cecilia, who by your pleadings moved the hearts of pagans, and brought them into the true Church,
St. Cecilia, who did unceasingly see your guardian angel by your side,
St. Cecilia, who mingled your voice with the celestial harmonies of the virgins,
St. Cecilia, who by your melodious accents celebrated the praises of Jesus,
St. Cecilia, illustrious martyr of Jesus Christ,
St. Cecilia, who during three days suffered most excruciating torments,
St. Cecilia, consolation of the afflicted,
St. Cecilia, protectress of all who invokes you,
St. Cecilia, patroness of holy canticles,
St. Cecilia, special patroness, and advocate of all singers, musicians, authors, and students, Pray for us.

We salute you, O Virgin, who gave your blood for the defence and faith of Jesus Christ!

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.

God glorified St. Cecilia, And He crowned her virtues.

Let us pray: O Eternal God, who gave us in the person of St. Cecilia, a powerful protectress and patron of music, grant that after having faithfully passed our days like herself, in innocence and holiness, we may one day attain the land of beatitude, wherein concert with her, we may praise you and bless you forevermore in eternity. Amen.

St. Cecilia, we ask for your intercession because you generously offered your life for the love of Jesus, who you were devoted to with your heart and soul. Graciously hear our prayers! Amen.

Saint Cecilia, pray for us!

(If possible, kindly accompany this novena with the Holy Rosary at any hour of the day, either 5 or 10 or 15 or 20 decades…)

May the Divine assistance remain always with us, and may the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

Blessing+
Through the intercession of Saint Cecilia (Virgin & Martyr), may the Lord bless + us, keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Great job praying Day 4! Click here for Day 5 Prayers

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