A Nine Day Prayer for the Patroness of Musicians
Day 1
Saint Cecilia, you were born into wealth but chose poverty; given into marriage, but chose virginity. Through your sacrifice, you converted your husband Valerian to the faith, and brought him to the heavenly kingdom through the narrow gate of martyrdom. You yourself were martyred by the sword, but your brave witness while you lived gave life to hundreds in Rome who were baptized and believed in the Gospels as a result of your preaching.
We seek your prayers for? (Mention your intentions here?). St. Cecilia, we ask for your intercession because you generously offered your life for the love of Jesus, who you were devoted to with your heart and soul. Graciously hear our prayers. Amen. Saint Cecilia, pray for us. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Day 2
Saint Cecilia, your wedding featured music that you could not hear, as you sat apart and sang to the Lord in your heart. You have inspired poets and musicians with sublime words and songs that have sewn the Gospel in millions of ears:
Orpheus could lead the savage race,And trees uprooted left their placeSequacious of the lyre:But bright Cecilia raised the wonder higher:When to her Organ vocal breath was givenAn Angel heard, and straight appeared ?Mistaking Earth for Heaven.
? John Dryden, Ode for St. Cecilia?s Day
Oh Saint Cecilia, Orpheus? lute made trees, but you produced living stones and disciples. Help us to sing in our hearts and with our voices so that we may live the Gospels with joy at all times.
We seek your prayers for? (Mention your intentions here?). St. Cecilia, we ask for your intercession because you generously offered your life for the love of Jesus, who you were devoted to with your heart and soul. Graciously hear our prayers. Amen. Saint Cecilia, pray for us. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Simon Vouet, Saint Cecilia ? c. 1626
Day 3
Oh Saint Cecilia, you were arraigned before a Roman prefect for the offense of loving Christ. You refused to sacrifice to the pagan Gods and debated your captors with unshakeable faith, even to the point of a death sentence. Bless all those who are not offended by God?s scandalous message of grace and forgiveness, and help us overcome every kind of idolatry that keeps us in servitude.
We seek your prayers for? (Mention your intentions here?). St. Cecilia, we ask for your intercession because you generously offered your life for the love of Jesus, who you were devoted to with your heart and soul. Graciously hear our prayers. Amen. Saint Cecilia, pray for us. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Day 4
Saint Cecilia, born to parents of illustrious wealth, you wore a hair shirt under your fine clothing, prayed fervently and always helped those in need. Help us oh Holy Virgin martyr in our spiritual poverty to understand what we really need.
We seek your prayers for? (Mention your intentions here?). St. Cecilia, we ask for your intercession because you generously offered your life for the love of Jesus, who you were devoted to with your heart and soul. Graciously hear our prayers. Amen. Saint Cecilia, pray for us. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Day 5
Saint Cecilia, on the night of your wedding you warned your husband Valerian of the angel guarding your purity. When he asked to see the angel, you told him he must be purified of his unbelief and be baptized by the bishop. The bishop was seeking refuge from the brutal Roman persecution in a cave, but he found him on the third milestone Appian Way ? just as you said you would.
Appian Way – Wikipedia
The Appian Way ( Latin and Italian: Via Appia) is one of the earliest and strategically most important Roman roads of?
en.wikipedia.org
?Know that I have a fearful and wonderful angel of God Who diligently guards my body, so that no man might defile me. Now if he sees that you desire to touch me out of carnal desire, he shall become angry and shall slay you instantly. Thus, you shall lose the flower of your youth. However, if he sees that you love me in a clean and pure fashion, as your sister, he shall love you as me, and shall reveal himself to you!? ? Saint Cecilia, to her husband, Saint Valerian (?)
Help us to renew our baptismal vows in the one and Triune God this day and seek conversion wherever it may be found.
We seek your prayers for? (Mention your intentions here?). St. Cecilia, we ask for your intercession because you generously offered your life for the love of Jesus, who you were devoted to with your heart and soul. Graciously hear our prayers. Amen. Saint Cecilia, pray for us. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
