After the success of the plays Noël ou le Mystère de la Nativité (Christmas or the Mystery of the Nativity) and then of Tobie (Tobit), Maurice Bouchor encouraged the Petit-Théâtre des Marionnettes de la Galerie Vivienne to continue exploring religious themes. Although the original incidental music was composed by Ernest Chausson (op. 22), this new “mystère” (mystery) did not generate as much enthusiasm as these two previous plays.

Maurice Bouchor strayed from the traditional legend of Sainte Cécile (Saint Cecilia) in several respects; most notably, he added the character of the Roi (King), and made the young woman die, although the Golden Legend related that she had miraculously survived three days of being put in boiling water and three attempts at beheading her.

After trying to rape Cécile (Cecilia), the Roi (King) wants to force Cécile to marry him. Gaymas, the Roi’s partner in depravity, is tasked with telling Cécile about the marriage, and letting her know that the man she loves, Valérien (Valerian), has been banished from the kingdom. The Anges (Angels) comfort Cécile and say that they will protect her. Cécile tells Valérien that she is a Christian and has taken an oath to remain a virgin. She makes Saint Michel (Saint Michael) appear, but Valérien cannot see him because he is a pagan. She sends him to wash the body of a leper; in the name of the Christian God, she gives him a “holy kiss”, after which he will be able to see angels. When he is back from his mission, Valérien can see Saint Michel. Like Cécile, he agrees to forsake the pleasures of the flesh; the two of them are preparing to become martyrs. When the Roi learns that they are Christians, they sentence them to death; however, he refuses to rape Cécile before – which Gaymas advised him to do. The Roi and Gaymas try to come up with torture methods for them, but Gaymas accidentally dies, and only Valérien is tortured. The Roi confesses his love to Cécile and promises that he will let her remain a Christian, even though it is against Roman law. But she demands to be sentenced like Valérien. As the Roi, furious, is about to rape her, Valérien appears, covered in blood; the ground opens and swallows the Roi up. The Geôlier (Gaoler) takes Cécile, to send her to the big cats of the circus. She reappears with Valérien; she is transfigured and surrounded by two angels.