At a very young age, Cecelia promised God that she would remain a virgin. However, her parents forced her to marry a Roman named Valerian. He was a pagan, but he loved Cecelia very much. Cecelia told Valerian of her promise to God and she told him that an angel watched over her to protect her virginity. Valerian requested to see the angel, but Cecelia told him that he could not see the angel until he became a Christian. He was soon baptized by Saint Urban and, when he came home that day to Cecelia, he saw her talking with the angel. The angel placed a crown of flowers on each of their heads, lilies for Cecelia to represent her virginity, and roses for Valerian. As a testament to his new found faith in God, Valerian prayed for - and was granted - his brother’s conversion.
It was during the time of the Roman persecution when Valerian and his brother buried the bodies of Christian martyrs. The formal burial of Christian persons was forbidden, so the brothers were sent to the Roman prefect. Since they would not give up their faith, Valerian and his brother were martyred. Moved by the courage of her family, Cecelia buried the bodies of her husband, brother-in-law, and one other martyr. In turn, she was brought before the prefect. He was reluctant to punish her because she was beautiful and he saw great virtue in her. Nonetheless, the Roman prefect was obliged tomartyr her.He decided to have her executed in the privacy of her home. The executioners first attempted to suffocate her, but their attempt failed. Eventually, the executioner resolved to behead Cecelia. After three strikes of the sword, Cecelia still lived. Roman law required that, if a person fails to die b the third strike of the executioner's sword, they are to be left alone. She survived her wounds for three days. During those three days, many came to her as she lay in her home and they converted to Christianity.
