St. Cecilia

In the late fifteenth century, St. Cecilia began to be associated with music. Artists often painted her playing an organ or singing.

The story of St. Cecilia is part history, part story. According to church history, Cecilia was a maiden of noble birth. At an early age, she dedicated her life to God with a vow of chastity. She, however, was betrothed and married to a young noble named Valerian. On her wedding day, she prayed to the Lord and asked Him to protect her virginity. History records, "The day on which the wedding was to be held arrived and while musical instruments were playing she was singing in her heart to God alone saying: Make my heart and my body pure that I may not be confounded" (McKinnon 46). Many historians believe that this text led to the eventual naming of Cecilia as the patroness of music.