Through her influence, Valerian was converted and martyred along with his brother. The legend about Cecilia’s death says that after being struck three times on the neck with a sword, she lived for three days, and asked the pope to convert her home into a church.

Since the time of the Renaissance, she has usually been portrayed with a viola or a small organ.

Like any good Christian, Cecilia sang in her heart, and sometimes with her voice. She has become a symbol of the Church’s conviction that good music is an integral part of the liturgy, of greater value to the Church than any other art.

Cecilia is the Patron Saint of Music and musicians.
Her feast day is November 22nd.