The feast day of St. Cecilia, patron saint of music falls perfectly right around Thanksgiving on November 22. The days around Thanksgiving can be either stressful with exams or laid back with movies and break. Either way, it is fun to take some time to celebrate the life of the famed saint of music!
St. Cecilia Activities
St. Cecilia Music Party
For the younger ones (and even the older kids), celebrate St. Cecilia with a music party. According to legend, St. Cecilia was praising God when she was martyred in Rome. Bring in your favorite Christian music and teach the kinds some praise and worship songs (or some humor rock? or Gregorian Chant?). Even the middle school and high school students like to set aside their self-consciousness and learn “Shine Jesus, Shine” or “Awesome God” if only to make fun of the teacher!
Inevitably students will want to bring in their own music. Offer this opportunity as an award for review games or select a couple of students at random to choose some songs.
Write Musical Notes
Using a little play on words, have students write notes to friends of family that rhyme like a song. You could also have the students write songs for people. Give them the chance to decorate the letter and the envelope before they give it away.
Research the Christian Catacombs
A replica of St. Cecilia’s tomb sits in the catacombs of St. Callixtus. Take some time out of class to do some research on the early Christian catacombs of Rome. Some possible ideas:
- Create a map of the catacomb sites around Rome
- Create a PowerPoint slideshow of images of the catacombs
- Pray a Litany of the Martyrs
- Research Christian symbols on catacomb walls
St. Cecilia Worksheet
Download a worksheet about the life and death of St. Cecilia as member of The Religion Teacher:
Download the Saint Cecilia Worksheet >
St. Cecilia Prayers
Look for prayers of Saint Cecilia at the following websites:
St. Cecilia Novena (Pray More Novenas)
A Novena to St. Cecilia (Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia)
Prayers to St. Cecilia (Daily Bread)
Prayer to St. Cecilia (EWTN)
(photo credit: Merry_Meet)
