Cecilia was born into a Roman noble and pagan family in the late 5th century and from early on, vowed her virginity to God. As Christians were heavily persecuted, in secret she came to believe in Christ upon hearing the Gospel, and prayed often.

When she came of age, she was married against her will to Valerian, who was a pagan. She detested the fine clothes and jewelry for the wedding, so she wore a sackcloth next to her skin. She fasted, and prayed for protection of her vow and to prevent the wedding. When the day arrived, she wept bitterly and asked for an angel to protect her chastity.

That night she revealed her faith to her husband and told of the angel’s protection. He said he would honor her faith and vow if he could see the angel as proof. Cecilia responded that he would not, as he did not have faith in the true God, and that he must be cleansed of this impurity. He consented and was baptized by Pope Urban I.

He received instruction in faith, was baptized, and upon his return, he found her praying with an angel of indescribable beauty by her side, who then crowned her with a chaplet of rose and lily.

Valerian then asked the Lord to deliver his brother Tibertius and to convert him. Tibertius also saw the angel, smelt the rose and lily crown of Cecilia, and proceeded to be baptized as well. Together the brothers distributed part of their inheritance to the poor, took care of the sick, began teaching their faith openly, and buried the Christians who had been tortured by their persecutors.

This had been reported to Almachius, the Eparch of the city, and he ordered the brothers to be arrested and brought to trial. During this time, Cecilia began preaching and converting over 400 individuals who were then baptized by Pope Urban I. The brothers were told to renounce Christ and offer sacrifice to the pagan gods but they refused and were scourged without mercy. Valerian urged the onlooking Christians to not fear torments but to stand firm for Christ. To prevent influence, Almachius ordered that they be taken outside the city and executed in front of the citizens.

Maximus, who commanded the executioners, was amazed at the courage of the brothers, and asked why they did not fear death. They told of their faith and he wanted to know more, so he brought them to his home. There he heard the Gospel and that they were exchanging this temporal life for everlasting life. Cecilia heard of this, and also sent a priest to Maximus. Him and his family were then baptized.

The brothers were executed the following day, and Maximus confessed before everyone that he saw their holy souls being taken up to Heaven. He was then in turn arrested and beaten to death with leaded whips.

Cecilia distributed all of her possessions to the poor. Almachius wanted to confiscate the property of those executed but after hearing she had given away all of her wealth and of her faith, he ordered for her to be arrested as well. She was condemned to torture and death by an overheated bathhouse but she survived. Before a large gathering, she was then beheaded by sword but it only wounded her. She lived for another 3 days, encouraging all those she encountered. She surrendered and was buried by Pope Urban I and his deacons in the catacombs.

All of their remains were discovered in the 9th century in the catacombs of Praetextatus and Cecilia’s were transferred to the Basilica di Santa Cecilia in Trastevere and placed under the high altar. The Holy Relics of Saints Valerian and Tiburtius are in the Roman Catholic Basilica of Saints Valerian and Cecilia in Rome.

Cecilia is regarded as the patroness of music because she heard heavenly music in her heart when she was married.

Cecilia’s feast day is November 22, Valerian’s is September 15, Tibertius’ is August 11, and Maximus’ is November 19.

For God’s Glory.

Basilica of Saint Cecilia in Trastevere: