SAINT CECILIA, PATRON SAINT OF MUSICIANS

update 9/11/02 Today I feel a sadness in this country. It is like a cloud around us. We remember. Some cry. Some comfort those who cry. Some speak,some listen.Today I will play some music and pour out my soul and express that which has no words. Please treat each other with loving kindness. Peace, Carol

NOVEMBER 22 St Cecilia's feast day is 11/22. Celebrate by playing music, singing, partaking of the bounty of the Earth, sharing what you have been blessed with and giving gratitude to Spirit for all.

"I receive you unto myself that where I am, there you may be also"

This picture by a gradeschool child in PA (whose name I shall add as soon as I can find it out ) has already brought enormous peace to many as it is forwarded around the internet. Peace and Love to you all, Carol

September 12, 2001 update The events of the past few days and hours have saddened and shocked us all. Last night I attended a concert by Sandip Burman, Indian tabla master. After leading us all in a moment of silence he spoke of how, in India, when tragic events take place, the musicians go to their local radio stations and play music all day to soothe everyone and help them deal with the tragedy. Incense was burned throughout the evening and we all returned home exhausted by the day's events.

A SITE DEDICATED TO MUSIC AS A HEALING FORCE In 1990 while working on a cruise ship travelling between New York City and Montreal I visited the shrine at Ste. Anne de Beaupre. Near the church was a gift shop which carried religious articles and medallions of many saints and it was there I discovered Ste Cecilia and heard her amazing story for the first time. When I told the shop owner that I wasn't Catholic he waved aside my objections and assured me that " the saints are for everyone!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ COMING SOON: Other tales and myths of St. Cecilia ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE STORY In my ongoing research many diverse stories emerge and what I present here is my own version of her, for I feel that what she represents and thus inspires in us is more important than historical facts. The Catholic Church no longer recognizes her as a saint which I feel gives her back to all people.

The Herstory of St. Cecilia Cecilia was alive somewhere between 1-300AD although some legends place her as late as the 1500's. Her father wished to marry her to an Italian nobleman but she had become a Christian and taken a vow of chastity. When the nobleman heard that she did not wish to marry him he became angry and along with his brother set out to find her.

As they approached her they were amazed to see angelic beings surrounding her. The nobleman and his brother fell to their knees and converted to Christianity. This was at a time when the Romans were persecuting the Christians.

The nobleman told Cecilia that if she would marry him he would allow her to keep her vow of chastity and he kept his promise. He constructed a special room on the side of the house which became a healing center. Cecilia would take in people who were ill and sing to them, healing them with the powerful vibrations of her voice. In some drawings she is pictured with a lute.

It is said that the nobleman and his brother dedicated their lives to retrieving and burying martyred Christians who had been stoned to death. Eventually Cecilia and the two men were also martyred. Rumor has it that the location of St. Cecilia's grave was found in the 19th century AD and when opened, revealed a body so fresh that she appeared to be sleeping.

The Martyrdom of St. Cecilia

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