Who is the patron saint of music?
Saint Cecelia is the Catholic Church’s Patron Saint of music. The origin of this patronage comes from her wedding feast, where she sung (in her heart) to the sound of the organs. She was a 3rd Century Roman martyr. She was said to be betrothed to a pagan called Valerian, but refused to consummate the marriage because she had already vowed her virginity to God. Both her husband and his brother converted to Christianity but were arrested and martyred. After burying the two men, she herself was sentenced to “suffocation in her bathroom”. In the end, in fact, she was beheaded. However, her story is supported by little documentary evidence. The Academy of Music was founded in Rome in 1584 and St Cecelia was chosen as its patroness. There are several churches dedicated to her around the world, the mother of which is in Trastevere, Rome. Her feast day is celebrated on 22nd November each year.
