Musician’s Day: 7 saints and biblical characters of music and singing

On the occasion of Musician’s Day, which is celebrated every November 22 – the date on which the Catholic Church celebrates Saint Cecilia -, we remember some saints and biblical characters known for their musical abilities.

1. Saint Cecilia

Saint Cecilia was a Christian martyr who suffered for her faith at the beginning of the 3rd century. Although she wanted to consecrate her virginity to God, her father offered her in marriage to a young pagan named Valerian.

Tradition says that on the day of the wedding, since she could not consecrate her life to the Lord, while the musicians played at the party, she sang songs that came from her heart to praise Christ.

The young woman achieved the conversion of her husband and her brother-in-law Tiburcio. However, some time later both were executed because of their faith. Saint Cecilia would also be martyred and her body was buried in the catacombs of Saint Calixtus.

In 1954, Pope Gregory Cecilia had a sensitive spirit and was passionate about music.

2. Saint Thomas Aquinas

Saint Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and one of the greatest theologians in history, was also the composer of five Eucharistic hymns that are used in Catholic liturgical activities.

These hymns were composed at the request of Pope Urban IV on the occasion of establishing the celebration of Corpus Christi in 1264.

Among his compositions stands out the Put lingua. Currently, the last two stanzas of this song (Only then) are sung during the Eucharistic reservation. The saint also composed the Eucharistic hymn adore and devote.

3. King David

David, called “the sweet hymn-singer of Israel” (2 Sam 23,1), is one of the most important musicians of the Old Testament.

In the Bible it is narrated that King Saul counted on David to play the zither whenever he felt tormented by an evil spirit.

Likewise, Jewish and Christian traditions attribute to David the authorship of the majority of the psalms.

4. Jubal

This biblical character also appears in the Old Testament under the name of Yubal, and as one of the descendants of Cain.

Chapter 4 of the book of Genesis mentions him as “the father of those who play the zither and the flute.”

5. Saint Alphonsus Mary Liguori

Saint Alfonso María de Ligorio, Doctor of the Church and known for works such as The glories of Mary y Treatise on moral theologywas also a virtuoso musician and composer.

As indicated by the website of the Redemptorist Missionaries of Colombia, the saint used the art of music “to improve his evangelizing work” among the poor and also with the nobles. Thus, he composed songs like Christmas You come down from the stars and the famous Cantata de la Passione, also known as the Duet between Jesus and the soul.

6. Blessed Carlo Acutis

Blessed Carlo Acutis future first millennial saintIn addition to his well-known love of programming and video games, he also cultivated his love for music. He taught himself to play the saxophone.

7. Santa María Crescencia

María Crescencia Hoss was a German Franciscan with a voice so prodigious that even Protestants attended Mass just to hear her singing.

“God granted her a beautiful voice. When she was a girl she sang as a soloist in the choir, not to shine, but to sing and play for Christ the King,” said Saint John Paul II. in the homily which he pronounced during the canonization Mass of María Crescencia Hoss, on November 25, 2001.