It’s November 22, and it’s the Feast of Saint Cecilia! From Homages to a Heroine (On Saint Cecilia):
To name but a few of the musical and poetic works dedicated to her: John Dryden’s poem, “A Song for Saint Cecilia’s Day”; Alexander Pope’s verse, “Ode on Saint Cecilia’s Day”; “The Second Nun’s Tale,” one of the Canterbury Tales, by Geoffrey Chaucer, in which the nun tells the story of Saint Cecilia; Henry Purcell’s musical tribute, “Ode to Saint Cecilia”; George Frederic Handel’s “Ode for Saint Cecilia’s Day” (a musical setting of Dryden’s poetry); and a beautiful Mass setting composed by Charles Gounod: Messe Solennelle de Sainte Cecile. Benjamin Britten, who was born on her feast day (as President Kennedy was assassinated on it), composed a choral work, “Hymn to Saint Cecilia,” which sets three poems by W. H. Auden to music. With the exception of Gounod’s Mass (in Latin), all of the texts of these works are in English. There are many more poetic and musical tributes to her in other languages.
The first of three musical recommendations for Saint Cecilia’s day: Purcell’s gorgeous Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day: “Hail, bright Cecilia!” https://t.co/3lQnJ3a6qv
— Brother André Marie, M.I.C.M. (@Brother_Andre) November 22, 2025
The second of three musical recommendations for Saint Cecilia’s day: Charles Gounod’s Messe solennelle en l’honneur de Sainte-Cécile, performed by the Frankfurt Radio Symphony under the baton of the French-Armenian conductor, Alain Altinoglu — and featuring the awe-inspiring…
— Brother André Marie, M.I.C.M. (@Brother_Andre) November 22, 2025
The third of three musical recommendations for Saint Cecilia’s day: Benjamin Britten’s “Hymn to St. Cecilia,” performed by Tenebrae.https://t.co/cYTkyQEcXm
— Brother André Marie, M.I.C.M. (@Brother_Andre) November 22, 2025
