Prayer to St. Cecilia, Patron of Musicians

St. Cecilia was a Roman noblewoman martyred in the early centuries of the Church, and she is one of the virgin martyrs named in the Roman Canon of the Mass. According to her ancient acts, on her wedding day, while the musicians played, she "sang in her heart to the Lord alone." From that line she became the patron of music, musicians, singers, and composers, and many choirs and music schools bear her name.

Her feast is November 22. Pray to her before a rehearsal, performance, or Mass you are singing or playing for, and for all who serve the Church through sacred music. The traditional collect of her feast is below.

The Prayer

Let us pray. O God, who dost gladden us by the yearly festival of blessed Cecilia, Thy Virgin and Martyr: grant that as we venerate her in our worship, so we may follow the example of her godly life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. St. Cecilia, who sang in your heart to the Lord alone, pray for all musicians and singers, that their music may give glory to God.

Sources: Collect for the feast of St. Cecilia, traditional Roman Missal (English), public domain; closing invocation written for this site.

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