St Lucy (Santa Lucia)- 13 December

St. Lucy died in 304 in Syracuse, Sicily. Her feast day is December 13. She was a virgin and martyr who achieved popularity soon after her death. Lucy was probably a victim of the wave of persecution of Christians that occurred late in the reign of the Roman emperor Diocletian (emperor 284 – 305).

According to legend, she consecrated her life to Christ and decided to remain a virgin in his service. In addition she gave all her possessions to the poor. Because she rejected marriage her hopeful suitor denounced Lucy as a Christian and she was sentenced to death. Despite being tortured, including the gouging out of her eyes and attempts to burn her, she remained faithful. Finally she was stabbed to death.

Lucy is the patron saint of the city of Syracuse and of virgins. Various traditions associated her name with light and so she came to be thought of as the patron of sight. In paintings, she is often depicted with a golden plate holding her eyes and holding a palm branch, a symbol of victory over evil.

In Sicily a breakfast porridge made from beans called “cuccìa” is eaten in her honour.

One of the ceremonies associated with her feast day in Sweden is that the eldest daughter of the family dresses in a white robe and wears a crown:an evergreen wreath with candles. Coffee, saffron bread (lussekatter)and ginger biscuits are given to family members and visitors.

The festival brings hope and light during the darkest time of the year.

God our redeemer,
who gave light to the world that was in darkness
by the healing power of the Saviour’s cross:
shed that light on us, we pray,
that with your martyr Lucy
we may, by the purity of our lives,
reflect the light of Christ
and, by the merits of his passion,
come to the light of everlasting life;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.