While St. Cecilia is frequently portrayed playing an organ, it is likely that she never played any musical instrument.
St. Cecilia is widely known as the patron saint of music, but did she ever play an instrument, or did she have a beautiful voice?
According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, she was not musical in any way, except for her "interior" music.
The Golden Legend describes her wedding in a similar way.
At the same time, some biographies claim that she would sometimes sing with both heart and voice.
Regardless of whether or not she played any musical instrument, or possessed a beautiful voice, it was her interior holiness that has inspired many musicians over the centuries. She remains the patron saint of music and she currently resides in Heaven, joining with all the other saints in singing to God a song of praise.
