“Ecstasy of St Cecilia”, Raphael , 1516, Bologna, Pincoteca Nazionale.
Although St Cecilia is the Patron Saint of Musicians, Luthiers and Singers, there is no evidence that she ever played and instrument or sang even a note! What is certain, is that she suffered martyrdom in Rome early in the Third Century or towards the end of the Second. It is thought that she lived in Trastevere where the Church of Santa Cecilia was later built. She was a Christian and had taken a vow of virginity, but despite her vow she was forced into a marriage with a pagan man called Valerian. Both Valerian and his brother were converted by her to Christianity and then all three were executed. In the Latin text of her legend, it is said that at her wedding, while the musical instruments played (cantantibus organis), Cecilia stood apart and sang in her heart to God alone, affirming her vow of virginity. This was why centuries after her death she would be associated with music. In this painting, she holds a small portable organ, but she does not play it. Instead St Cecilia is listening to the heavily choirs above. Broken instruments are scattered at her feet, representing the music of the pagan world in which she lived. The painting was an altarpiece for a Chapel dedicated to St Cecilia at the Church of San Giovanni in Monte in Bologna. This painting was commissioned by a wealthy woman, who like St Cecilia was married, yet was also vowed to virginity. The saint wears a rich yellow garment. The colour yellow symbolises her desire for God. A hair shirt is just visible beneath her garments and around her waist is a chord to symbolise chastity. On the left is St Paul with his sword and his letters. On the right is Mary Magdalene with her jar of ointment. Behind them are St John with an eagle at his feet and St Augustine with his crozier. Above are the choirs of angels, who sing rather than play instruments, which affirms the widely accepted view of St Augustine that the human singing voice is the most effective way to elevate the soul to the contemplation of God. St Cecilia is now caught up in the sound of this heavenly choir, so she no longer has need of the portable organ in her hands. The broken instruments at her feet; a viola, a kettle drum, a flute, and a tambourine, symbolise the secular music of the wedding party, which the ecstatic Cecilia no longer hears. The memorial of St Cecilia, Patroness of Musicians, Luthiers, Poets and Singers, is celebrated on Saturday.
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The Catholic Chaplaincy is also a parish of the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh (the Parish of St Albert the Great) and all Catholic students and staff are automatically members of this parish.
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