St Cecilia is known as one of the Christian women who suffered percussion in the 2nd century. She remained faithful rather than denying her Savior Jesus. Therefore, like the seven brothers in 2Maccabees 7, she endured the torture, the suffering with courage and patience because of her hope in the Lord. Cecilia, Just like the seven Jewish brothers, who were encouraged by their faith-filled mother, also accepted the martyrdom. They all refused to lose their virginity, understood as innocent their state of grace and wholeness. So many have compromised with the world and lost their virginity. We lose our virginity, when we succumb to wealth without working (Easy-Money; Easy –Life); when we seek pleasure or science without conscience and without humanity; that is a loss of our innocence; When pursue knowledge without character and virtue. When we do politics without ethics and principles that is a loss of character. This is harmful; it is dangerous. It is dividing and killing unity and humanity. Doing commerce without morality is the loss of our child-like. Even worship without sacrifice is a loss of innocence. Brethren, in order to be rewarded at the end of times, we must accept to take risks with our own lives! “Whoever loses his life will find it (Luke 9:24). We need to remain faithful to prayer if we are to stand firm against the adversity of this world. O lord hear a cause that is just; pay heed to my cry. Turn your ear to my prayer. May St Cecilia, pray for us to return to childlike innocence!

Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO sac