St. Cecilia, Virgin & Martyr – Nov 22 – Homily – Fr John Lawrence
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Fr John Lawrence gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Nov 22, 2023, on the life of St. Cecilia, Virgin & Martyr, who sang her testimony to Jesus and how her relics were found, corroborating the fantastic account of her heroic death.
St. Cecilia and the other martyrs today are foreshadowed by the seven sons and their mother, celebrated in the second book of Maccabees read today, particularly in chapter 7. St. Augustine also preached about them, recognizing their sacrifices around 168 BC. Today's reading details their mother's perseverance and faith in the resurrection, a belief echoed in her statement about God creating from nothing, ex nihilo. This faith is reminiscent of Our Lady's at the cross.
Saint Cecilia, from a noble Roman family, was married to the pagan Valerian. She maintained her vow of virginity, guarded by an angel, leading to Valerian's conversion through Pope Saint Urban I. Valerian's brother also converted, but their Christian faith led to their execution. Cecilia, refusing to deny Christ, faced her own martyrdom. Despite surviving a heated steam bath, she was ultimately beheaded. Critics question the historicity of these accounts, yet forensic examinations of relics, like St. Cassian of Imola's, have validated such stories.
We celebrate Saint Cecilia’s commitment to Christ, her role in inspiring other martyrs, and her extraordinary sanctity.
Ave Maria!
Here are 12 potential chapter topics with timestamps for the transcript:
00:00 - Introduction
00:15 - The Maccabean martyrs before Christ
01:33 - St. Cecilia & her noble Roman family
01:47 - St. Cecilia, patroness of sacred music
02:03 - St. Cecilia's vow of virginity
02:26 - The martyrdom of St. Cecilia's husband & brother-in-law
03:45 - The conversion and martyrdom of Maximus
04:06 - St. Cecilia's Martyrdom
06:50 - Archaeological evidence corroborates the traditional story
09:47 - St. Cecilia, spiritual mother of martyrs
Mass: St. Cecilia, Virgin & Martyr - Mem - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=34
Readings: Wednesday 33rd Week of Ordinary Time - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/112223.cfm
1st: 2ma 7:1, 20-31
Resp: psa 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15
Gsp: luk 19:11-28
More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1200&r=1555
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