At the conclusion of each Choir rehearsal, Choirmaster Simsic says “St. Celilia,” to which the choir responds, “Pray for us.”  This invocation to St. Celilia has become a tradition in the choir over the past decade, but who was St. Celilia?  Who was this saint whose likeness is painted high on the west wall of St. Joseph’s near the choir loft?  Cecilia was a wealthy Roman girl who prayed for an angel to protect her virginity on her wedding night.  Her husband wanted to see this angel, but to do so, he had to be baptized by the pope, which he agreed to.  Inspired by his brother’s conversion, her brother-in-law also was baptized, and together, the two brothers dedicated their lives to Christ until they were executed for refusing to offer a sacrifice to the Roman gods.  For her part, Cecilia is said to have converted over 400 people at a very dangerous time for Christians.  Cecilia was also arrested, but it took several attempts to execute her, including a failed beheading after which Cecilia lingered for three days, bleeding, preaching and praying.  She is called the patron saint of musicians because she heard heavenly music in her heart when she was married, and her image usually includes an organ or organ-pipes in her hand.