Deepertruth: The St. Cecilia Story

About 177 A.D., a baby girl was Baptized into the Catholic Faith.  Her name given was Cecilia who was raised in a Christian home who developed a love for the Mass and the Lord Jesus Christ and His Mother. 

From an early age she made a vow to virginity to honor the Lord, her first love.  Cecilia would make sacrifice serving God through fasting, wearing sackcloth next to her skin, she had great devotion to the Virgin Mary, the Saints, angels, especially the virgin and martyrs for the faith.

The Parents of Cecilia living in a Roman world found it difficult having to give their Christian Daughter to a Noble Roman who was raised Pagan.  Their money could not be dependable to maintain their freedom so they lived in trying times for the faithful. 

Valerian's marriage to Cecilia  was unique in that he was aware of Cecilia's commitment to virginity.  Cecilia before the marriage celebration told Valerian that she would be protected by her Guardian Angel to help her keep her vow.  That being her will, during the marriage ceremony, Cecilia sang praise to God that came from her heart. 

Valerian, kind of like St. Joseph who needed some help believing The Virgin Mary was pregnant through the Holy Spirit, wanted proof of Cecilia's angel.  Cecilia told him that once Valerian traveled down the Appian Way to the third milestone he would find Pope Urbanus and be baptized by him there. 

Upon his return, he found an angel, bright as light, by her side.  Cecilia received from the angel a crown of roses and a lily that would be a sign of her martyrdom.  Valerian's brother, Tibertius, upon learning of the angel also was baptized into the Catholic faith.