St. Cecilia

Abstract

Sculpture of Saint Cecilia in the left surplus of the mannerist altar of Saint Nicholas with the statue of Saint Teresa of Ávila on the right are works of unidentified origin. It is certain that they are not elements of the original furnishings of this altar. They were placed there at an unspecified time, before 1833, replacing earlier, slightly smaller carved statues of saints. Both sculptures were created in the same, probably Lesser Poland, wood carving and sculpting workshop in the 17th century (after 1622, i.e. the date of canonization of Saint Teresa). In the church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Paczółtowice they were first recorded in the temple's inventory in 1833. Born in the 3rd century in Rome, Saint Cecilia is the patron of church music. Her main attributes include musical instruments, as well as a sword and wreath of white and red roses referring to her innocence and martyr's death.wreath In the case of the sculpture in Paczółtowice, the saint was depicted as a young woman holding a portative in her hand, i.e. a small, portable pipe organ.