St. Cecilia is the patron Saint of musicians and of Church Music. She was martyred in Sicily in the 2nd century, and there has been a church in Rome dedicated to her since the 5th century.
Many composers have written music in her honour, including Purcell, Handel and Britten (who was born on St Cecilia's day 1913). She is traditionally depicted playing an organ, although other paintings show her with a variety of other instruments. Her saint's day is 22nd November; the St Cecilia Lodge was consecrated on that day in 1945. For more on St Cecilia, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Cecilia |