November 22 St. Cecilia
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Ironically, St. Cecilia is the patron saint of music and musicians because of this short entry in her biography during her wedding, "While the musical instruments sounded, she sang in her heart to the Lord alone, saying, 'Let my heart and my body be undefiled, O Lord, that I may not be confounded'"
A Christian in a pagan 4th century Roman household, St. Cecilia did not want to be wed. That night, she explained her faith to her bridegroom Valerian, saying that an angel had crowns for them both if he would convert. Though doubtful,Valerian looked into it, consulted with Pope Urban, converted, and even brought his brother into the fold. The story continues with the martyrdom of the brothers and then the trial and passion of St. Cecilia herself. The judge ordered her burned in the baths. When this failed, he ordered her decapitated. This was only partly successful, so she lived three more days, time enough to preach the faith, convert multitudes, and give her goods to the poor.She was interned a couple of times after her death and was found incorruptible.There are many musical compositions, poems, and great works of art dedicated to her. Chaucer, Handel, and Raphael all used her as their subject in their works. In the church of Saint Cecilia, built above her home in Trastevere, Rome, is a statue of the saint’s body, positioned exactly as it was discovered in it’s tomb in 1599. 
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To do:
If you have budding musicians, you should definitely introduce them to this wonderful saint, perhaps even purchasing them a medal or prayer card to keep in their music case.Read her story to the family at dinner. Play more music today than usual. To eat: She was from 4th century Rome so there are no specific foods.Her symbols are a harp, lute, or pipe organ.Putting something like this or just a musical note on a cake or cookies would be appropriate. To Pray: Try this sing-songy prayer: O Glorious Saint, who chose to die instead of denying your King, we pray you please to help us as His fair praise we sing. We lift our hearts in joyous song to honor Him this way, and while we sing, remembering, to sing is to doubly pray. At once, in our hearts and in our tongues, we offer double prayer sent heavenward on winged notes to praise God dwelling there. While in our hearts and tongues we try with song to praise God twice, we ask dear saint, to help us be united close to Christ! 
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