Brides and Newlyweds
Saint Cecilia
Book: Favorite Catholic Novenas for All Occasions, Regina Press
Meditation:
The patron saint of music and musicians, Saint Cecilia, lived in the early second century and was murdered for her faith along with her husband and brother-in-law. She was the daughter of a wealthy Roman family that forced her to marry Valerian a pagan. Dutifully obeying her parents, Cecilia married Valerian, but saying a song to God at the wedding praying her husband might be converted to Christianity Cecilia told Valerian that she had an angel by her side and in order to see it he must be baptized a Christian filled with love for his new bride Valerian converted to Christianity right away returning from his baptism ceremony. He saw Cecilia in prayer, with an angel with flaming wings standing next to her. The angel placed a crown on each of their heads and said Valerian might have a favor from heaven. He asked that his brother Tiburtius come a Christian too soon after Tiburtius was baptized also Saint Cecilia‘s feast day is November 22.
Novena: Say this prayer once a day for nine consecutive days
Saint Cecilia, you became a heroic martyr in eternal fidelity to your divine bride groom you profess your faith in the face of severe persecution and generous love with which you offered your life to witness to your leaf in the blessed Trinity worked a miracle in converting your husband Saint Cecilia I admire the purity of love that bound you to the savior, which was greater in your eyes than any human affection so that you declare yourself before the enemies of the church. I am the bride of my Lord Jesus Christ pray for me that in an imitation of you, I may keep my body and soul, pure, and that eye, and my spouse may know the love of Jesus, pray that my marriage may remain filled with Christ spirit, even in the face of the most severe earthly trial and persecution serving as an example that leads others closer to Christ and the church he founded, please pray, especially for…. (Mention your silent and special intention here) and Thanksgiving to God for the graces, he bestowed on Saint Cecilia. Amen
Followed by in Our Father, a Hail Mary and a Glory be.