St. Cecilia, one of the venerated Virgin Martyrs of the early Church. Known as the patron saint of church musicians, she is the object of many a poet and has the affection of many even today.
Orpheus could lead the savage race;
And trees unrooted left their place;
Sequacious of the lyre:
But bright Cecilia rais’d the wonder high’r;
When to her organ, vocal breath was giv’n,
An angel heard, and straight appear’d
Mistaking earth for Heav’n. (John Dryden)
O Christ, who summoned all
To follow in your way,
That we might bear our cross
And live in endless day:
We thank you for Cecilia’s stand;
And trusting in your loving hand,
We too will sin and death withstand.
(hymn text by J. Michael Thompson)
I love music, don’t you? I also love real good sacred music: polyphony, chant and the like… today is a beautiful feast day in our honoring Saint Cecilia, patron saint for church musicians. 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. In the present confused state of Church music, it may be useful to recall some words of Vatican II:
“Liturgical action is given a more noble form when sacred rites are solemnized in song, with the assistance of sacred ministers and the active participation of the people…. Choirs must be diligently promoted, but bishops and other pastors must ensure that, whenever the sacred action is to be celebrated with song, the whole body of the faithful may be able to contribute that active participation which is rightfully theirs…. Gregorian chant, other things being equal, should be given pride of place in liturgical services. But other kinds of sacred music, especially polyphony, are by no means excluded…. Religious singing by the people is to be skillfully fostered, so that in devotions and sacred exercises, as also during liturgical services, the voices of the faithful may ring out” (Constitution on the Liturgy, 112-118).
1. O God of tune and rhyme,
Whose song the world has made,
Whose Word before all time
The universe displayed:
We praise in song this woman’s fame,
Who, in the face of death and shame,
Gave glory to her Savior’s name.
2. O Christ, who summoned all
To follow in your way,
That we might bear our cross
And live in endless day:
We thank you for Cecilia’s stand;
And trusting in your loving hand,
We too will sin and death withstand.
3. O Spirit, Lord of life,
Whose gifts all faith maintain,
Your leading through earth’s strife
Let us your heav’n attain.
Grant us firm faith that, as did she,
We follow you, O Wind most free,
That Christians true we e’er may be.
4. O Trinity, One God,
O Source of music’s art,
Guide us through ways untrod
Until, within your heart,
With all your saints and angels’ throng
We live with you, and there prolong
Our endless alleluia song.
J. Michael Thompson
Copyright © 2009, World Library Publications
66 66 888
RHOSYMEDRE
While musical instruments were playing, Cecilia sang to the Lord, saying:
Let my heart be undefiled, that I be not confounded.
O God, Who does gladden us by the annual solemnity of blessed Cecilia, Thy Virgin and Martyr, grant that as we venerate her by this festival we may also follow in the example of her holy life.
But Oh! What Art Can Teach,
What Human Voice Can Reach
The Sacred Organ’s Praise?
Notes Inspiring Holy Love,
Notes That Wing Their Heavenly Ways
To Mend The Choirs Above
(John Dreyden, Song for St. Cecilia’s Day, 1687.)