Saint Cecilia is one of the most fascinating saints. She lived during the Roman Empire and was born to a wealthy Roman family. She vowed her virginity to Christ but her parents married her off anyway. She then converted her husband who respected her virginity and converted his brother. Together her husband and his brother buried martyred Christians which was illegal, and therefore resulted in their martyrdom. St. Cecilia responded by converting hundreds of people and burying her husband. This and her refusal to worship false gods resulted in her being arrested.
According to legend, St. Cecilia was not martyred easily. They first attempted to suffocate her but it did not affect her. Then they attempted to behead her but they were again unsuccessful. She instead bled to death for three days as she continued to preach and people collected her blood in sponges and napkins. The story of Saint Cecilia is one of courage, evangelization, and love of God in the midst of persecution and strife.
Thank you for this post Teo.