Music can heal us all the way. None hates music and whenever we get emotional both happy and sad, we go for the music and listen to it. In Catholic Church, there are many saints who are great musicians. The most popular patron saint for music and musicians is St. Cecilia. Like many who love music, she had a tune playing in her head; not something from outside as she lived in the 2nd or 3rd century there was no other medium for listening to music, but rather heavenly music. She is not alone as there are five other saints who have connections as patrons to those who entertain with music and song.
St Cecilia – Shrouded in mystery and honored as a martyr, Cecilia, the patroness of music is said to have heard heavenly music during her marriage rite to a pagan.
Other Patrons of Musicians
St Genesius – He is commonly known as the patron saint of actors as he is a performer. His lifetime was during the time of the emperor Diocletian, in Rome. Diocletian, the great persecutor of the Church during the era, witnessed the conversion of Genesius on stage as he was performing a satirization of baptism. Literally, Genesius went off script and embraced the Christian faith; later suffering a martyr’s death. He is commonly portrayed with a string instrument in his hand. Perhaps a nod to musical theatre.
St Dunstan – He is a skilled metal worker and his primary patronages are locksmiths, goldsmiths, jewelers, and armorers. St Dunstan while teaching at Cathedral school in Canterbury was a revered musician, who composed hymns.
St Gregory – Perhaps you have heard of Gregorian Chant? Well, until Pope Gregory created this monophonic liturgical music to accompany the texts of the mass and the divine office, it did not exist as we experience it today. AKA Gregory the Great he is the patron of musicians and singers, among other things.
St Hildegard Von Bingen – She is a 12th-century “Renaissance woman” and her interests and writings included: botany, medicine, theology, liturgy, music, and theatre. Among her works are musical compositions used for liturgy, as well as a musical morality play entitled “Ordo Virtutum” A woman blessed with many gifts, St. Hildegard used these capabilities to bring honor and glory to God throughout her life.
St. Paul – St. Paul the apostle is actually a convert after the establishment of the Church. He went from a role in persecuting the early Christian community to becoming a staunch defender, and tireless missionary. His connection to music and musicians is unclear, except perhaps in how music shares stories and moves hearts much as St. Paul did in preaching the Gospel.