Memorial of St. Cecilia, virgin and martyr
Among the many memorable places I visited on my trip to Rome in the year 2000 was the catacombs of St. Callixtus. They are among the greatest and most important of Rome. They originated about the middle of the second century and are part of a cemeterial complex which occupies an area of 90 acres, with a network of galleries about 12 miles long, in four levels, more than twenty meters deep. In it were buried martyrs, popes and very many Christians.
Within these catacombs is the Crypt of Saint Cecilia. Along the left wall is a great niche where was placed the sarcophagus containing the body of St. Cecilia. In the year 821 her remains were transferred to Trastevere, in the basilica dedicated to the Saint and there is a now a beautiful staue in their place.
The statue is a copy of the famous work by Stefano Maderno (1566-1636), carried out in 1599, when there took place the recognition of her relics. The body was found in the position represented by the sculptor. He brought out into relief the cut of the sword on her neck and the position of her fingers: three fingers open on the right hand and one on the left. According to tradition, the saint wished to show her faith in the Trinity and in the Unity of God.
I cannot tell you how moving it was to be able to see and touch the beautiful statue. I have often felt a special kinship to St. Cecilia and was especially blessed by this experience.
Today we honor the memorial of her death. Saint Cecilia, pray for us!
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