St. Cecilia store (2009)

"Saint Cecilia"
Acrylic, 2009
12" x 12"
Patronus Sanctus, Series 1
No. 3 of 3

Saint Cecilia is a 2nd Century martyr known as the patron saint of music and musicians.

Having pledged her virginity to God, Cecilia was dismayed to have been promised in marriage to a pagan man. Cecilia managed to have her new husband and his brother converted and baptized. The two brothers began burying Christian martyrs on the grounds of the villa owned by Cecilia and her husband.

Discovered by the Romans, the two brothers were martyred and Cecilia was ordered to be executed. After attempts to suffocate her proved unsuccessful, a beheading was attempted. Cecilia survived three attempts, after which the executioner fled. Cecilia survived for three more days, singing hymns to the Lord, leading to her eventual canonization as the patron saint of music.

When her body was exhumed several hundred years after her death, it was found to be incorruptible (meaning having experience little or no natural decomposition) and one hand held up store three fingers while the other held up one (showing Cecilia's belief in the Holy Trinity)

Cecilia is also the patron saint of poets, composers, musical instrument makers, the Academy of Music in Rome, and the archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska.



This painting is unframed but the edges are painted so it can be hung as is.

"Saint Cecilia" is Number 3 of 3 in Series 1 of "Patronus Sanctus"