St Cecilia

Cecelia was a Roman, who came to believe in Jesus during a time when Christians were being killed because of their faith.  She wanted to live her life only for Jesus, but her parents gave her to be married to a man named Valerian.  Valerian did not believe in Jesus when he was married to Cecelia.  During her wedding, she prayed that Jesus would help her to continue to live her life just for Jesus.  After her wedding, she told Valerian about Jesus and she explained how she felt that Jesus was asking her to live just for Him.  She explained that she had a special angel that was always with her to help her live a pure and holy life.  She asked if he would be able to live this kind of life with her.  He said that if he could see her angel, then he would believe.  Cecelia explained that he had to give his life to God in order to see her angel, and so he agreed to be baptized.  After his baptism, he came home and saw Cecelia praying and beside her was her special angel.  This angel had two crowns, which she placed on both their heads, crowning them as children of God the King.  Cecilia and Valerian shared their faith with Valerian’s brother, Tibertius, and he also came to believe in Jesus.  Together, the three of them lived their lives only for Jesus.  They made it their mission to bury all the Christians that were being martyred by the ruler of Rome.  They were soon captured and put in prison because of their faith.  Valerian and his brother were martyred first and then they tried to kill Cecilia.  They put her into a burning chamber, but the flames would not harm her.  Then they tried to behead her, but they could not.  She died from the wounds that were caused by those who tried to kill her.  She died as a martyr for her faith in Jesus.