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E06575: Aldhelm, in his prose On Virginity, names *Caecilia (virgin and martyr of Rome, S00146) as an exemplary virgin. Written in Latin in southern Britain, for the nuns at the monastery at Barking (south-east Britain), c. 675/686.
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posted on 2018-09-21, 00:00 authored by bsavillAldhelm, prose On Virginity, 40
[...] Verum mihi de Mariae perpetua virginitate, quae ante sacri seminis receptaculum virgo favorabilis exstitit et post caelestis puerperii praeconium virgo favorabilior permansit, sollicite scribenti repente ad memoriam rediit, quomodo Caecilia, virgo sacratissima, indultae iugalitatis consortia ac pacta proci sponsalia obtentu castitatis refutans velut spurca latrinarum purgamenta laudabili spiritus fervore contempserit, despexerit, respuerit; quae, licet organica bis quinquagenis et ter quinis sonorum vocibus concreparet armonia, acsi letiferos Sirinarum concentus, cum inexpertos quosque ad vitae pericula pellexerint, sub praetextu integritatis surdis auribus auscultabat. Quamobrem procum proprium et futurum, si virginitatis fortuna pateretur, levirum a superstitiosa de lubrorum cultura convertens baptismatis fonte renatos visibiliter angelicis perfrui conspectibus fecit, quibus caelicola ab astris destinatus candidis ac purpureis contexta serta floribus obtulit Istas, inquiens, coronas inmaculato (corde) et mundo corpore custodite, quia de paradiso dei eas ad vos attuli!
'Truly, it suddenly came into my mind as I am writing carefully about the perpetual virginity of Mary – who was a virgin full of grace before receiving the sacred seed, and who remained a virgin of even greater grace after the honour of her divine child-bearing – how CAECILIA, a most holy virgin, refused the companionship of a conferred marriage and the betrothal ceremonies of her suitor on the grounds of her chastity, and scorned, despised and rejected them with laudable spiritual fervour, just as the foul excrement of the latrine. And although the music of the organ with its one hundred and fifteen musical notes was sounding, she listened with deaf ears, under the pretext of her chastity, as if to the deadly harmonies of the Sirens when they entice each and every inexperienced person towards the dangers of life. As a result of this, she converted her own suitor and her future brother-in-law – if the condition of virginity were to allow (it) – from the superstitious worship of pagan shrines; and when they were reborn through the baptismal font she made them visibly enjoy an angelic presence: for an angel sent from the stars brought to them some garlands woven with white and crimson flowers, saying, "Guard these crowns with an immaculate heart and a pure body, since I have brought them to you from the paradise of God (himself)."'
Text: Ehwald 1919, 292. Translation: Lapidge and Herren 1979, 107.
[...] Verum mihi de Mariae perpetua virginitate, quae ante sacri seminis receptaculum virgo favorabilis exstitit et post caelestis puerperii praeconium virgo favorabilior permansit, sollicite scribenti repente ad memoriam rediit, quomodo Caecilia, virgo sacratissima, indultae iugalitatis consortia ac pacta proci sponsalia obtentu castitatis refutans velut spurca latrinarum purgamenta laudabili spiritus fervore contempserit, despexerit, respuerit; quae, licet organica bis quinquagenis et ter quinis sonorum vocibus concreparet armonia, acsi letiferos Sirinarum concentus, cum inexpertos quosque ad vitae pericula pellexerint, sub praetextu integritatis surdis auribus auscultabat. Quamobrem procum proprium et futurum, si virginitatis fortuna pateretur, levirum a superstitiosa de lubrorum cultura convertens baptismatis fonte renatos visibiliter angelicis perfrui conspectibus fecit, quibus caelicola ab astris destinatus candidis ac purpureis contexta serta floribus obtulit Istas, inquiens, coronas inmaculato (corde) et mundo corpore custodite, quia de paradiso dei eas ad vos attuli!
'Truly, it suddenly came into my mind as I am writing carefully about the perpetual virginity of Mary – who was a virgin full of grace before receiving the sacred seed, and who remained a virgin of even greater grace after the honour of her divine child-bearing – how CAECILIA, a most holy virgin, refused the companionship of a conferred marriage and the betrothal ceremonies of her suitor on the grounds of her chastity, and scorned, despised and rejected them with laudable spiritual fervour, just as the foul excrement of the latrine. And although the music of the organ with its one hundred and fifteen musical notes was sounding, she listened with deaf ears, under the pretext of her chastity, as if to the deadly harmonies of the Sirens when they entice each and every inexperienced person towards the dangers of life. As a result of this, she converted her own suitor and her future brother-in-law – if the condition of virginity were to allow (it) – from the superstitious worship of pagan shrines; and when they were reborn through the baptismal font she made them visibly enjoy an angelic presence: for an angel sent from the stars brought to them some garlands woven with white and crimson flowers, saying, "Guard these crowns with an immaculate heart and a pure body, since I have brought them to you from the paradise of God (himself)."'
Text: Ehwald 1919, 292. Translation: Lapidge and Herren 1979, 107.
History
Evidence ID
E06575Saint Name
Caecilia, virgin and martyr of Rome : S00146 Mary, Mother of Christ : S00033Saint Name in Source
Caecilia MariaRelated Saint Records
Type of Evidence
Literary - OtherLanguage
- Latin
