In 2004, we made our first trip as a family to Rome and had the tremendous privilege of visiting the Basilica dedicated to today's canonized, St. Cecilia. The main Church was a little shabby back then due to neglect, but has since been renovated. Even so, my family was deeply moved when the guard allowed us to go below, where the remains of Cecilia's home, and the spot where she was martyred, are located. Part of the restoration of her home includes the most beautiful chapel I had ever seen, and it is where her incorrupt body is honored. Her head still remains partially severed from the blow of a Roman soldier. The guard, who spoke no English, at first allowed us to tour the home, but hesitated to unlock the gate to enter the chapel. So Geralyn pulled Benjamin over and said, "This is my firstborn who's studying to be a priest." That did the trick, and when we knelt to pray a Rosary, he joined us, though he prayed in Italian. A memory I will never forget: Just days after our return to Pulaski, I was asked to be a member of a prayer team to pray over participants in a seminar. There were about 3 prayer teams and 12 participants. The team I happened to join was told to pray over some the participants underneath a beautiful statue (yes, you guessed it) of St. Cecilia. May she pray for all of you, tonight!
Wonderful story, Mario. St. Cecilia's words are profound, especially in these times... “Arise, soldiers of Christ, throw away the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”
https://www.turismoroma.it/en/places/basilica-santa-cecilia-trastevere I see that they have moved her body up to below the main altar in the restored and beautiful Basilica! She was very short, under 5' tall.
