St Cecilia is the patron saint of music and musicians. For her feast, then, here are some words of St Augustine: ‘My dear brothers and sons, fruit of the true faith holy seed of heaven, all you who have been born again in Christ and whose life is from above, listen to me; or rather, listen to the Holy Spirit saying through me: “Sing to the Lord a new song”. Look, you tell me, I am singing. Yes indeed, you are singing; you are singing clearly, I can hear you. But make sure that your life does not contradict your words. Sing with your voices, your hearts, your lips and your lives: “Sing to the Lord a new song”. Now it is your unquestioned desire to sing of him whom you love, but you ask me how to sing his praises. You have heard the words: “Sing to the Lord a new song”, and you wish to know what praises to sing. The answer is: “His praise is in the assembly of the saints”; it is in the singers themselves. If you desire to praise him, then live what you express. Live good lives, and you yourselves will be his praise’.

May the song of our hearts be pleasing to Him whom we love, and may God bless you this day.