Gospel in Art: Saint Cecilia, Virgin, Martyr

Saint Cecilia, Sculpture by Stefano Maderno, Sculpted in 1599-1600, White marble © Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome / Christian Art

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 22 November 2025
Matthew 25:1-13

At that time: Jesus told his disciples this parable, 'The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, "Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him." Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, "Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out." But the wise answered, saying, "Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves." And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterwards the other virgins came also, saying, "Lord, lord, open to us." But he answered, "Truly, I say to you, I do not know you." Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.'

Reflection on the sculpture

Today, we celebrate Saint Cecilia. Little is known about her life. Born in Rome in the late 2nd century AD, she suffered martyrdom around 230 AD under Roman Emperor Alexander Severus (reigned 13 March 222 - 22 March 235). According to legend, despite her vow of virginity, her parents forced her to marry a pagan nobleman named Valerian. During the wedding, Cecilia sat apart, singing to God in her heart, which later led to her being declared the patron saint of musicians. When the time came to consummate the marriage, Cecilia told her husband that an angel of the Lord watched over her, who would punish him if he violated her virginity but would love him if he respected it. According to legend, when Valerian asked to see the angel, Cecilia replied that he could do so if he went to the third milestone on the Via Appia and was baptised by Pope Urban I. Out of love for his wife, he followed her advice and then saw the angel standing beside her, crowning her with a chaplet of roses and lilies.

The marble sculpture of Saint Cecilia by Stefano Maderno, executed in 1599-1600, depicts Cecilia extending three fingers with her right hand and one with her left, symbolising the Trinity: one God in three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). The sculpture beautifully conveys the weight of a lifeless body. Notably, there is a thin but noticeable slash on Cecilia's neck, indicating her beheading.

Maderno's sculpture is said to replicate the way that Antonio Bosio (born in Malta in 1575, he was the founder of Christian archaeology in Rome and the first scholar to apply the study of ancient Christian texts to a systematic investigation of the Roman catacombs) described the saint at the moment of her discovery: 'namely on her side, uncorrupt, clothed in drapery, and with her veiled hair turned eerily towards the ground'. This fostered a legend that the sculpture was modelled on the very corpse of Saint Cecilia herself. However, it has since been concluded that the statue is Maderno's own composition, inspired by Bosio's words as well as studies of ancient sculptures.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-25-1-13-2025-2/
and
Video: The Art of Remembrance - From The Monuments Men to The Last Post: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/53644