Homage to Saint Cecilia

Each November 22, the Worshipful Company of Musicians in London processes to St. Paul's Cathedral to honor their patron, Saint Cecilia.

Cecilia, patron of music and of the blind (for she was blind) was born in Rome and martyred in Sicily, probably in the year 176. It is said that she sang as she died.

Cecilia is supposed to have invented the organ, and legend tells us an angel fell in love with her musical talents. In paintings and statues, she is often shown holding a lyre.

Various poets and composers have written odes and anthems to St. Cecilia.  Dryden wrote:

"At length divine Cecilia came,
Inventress of the vocal frame."

And W.H. Auden, responding to a request from Benjamin Britten, wrote three long stanzas, beginning with:

"In a garden shady this holy lady
With reverent cadence and subtle psalm,
Like a black swan as death came on
Poured forth her song in perfect calm."

A reverent bow to St. Cecilia, and to musicians everywhere.