by Kat Apf

Created on: March 24, 2010   Last Updated: December 13, 2010

Saint Lucy (Or Santa Lucia) is the patron saint of the blind and of people who have problems with their eyes. The name Lucy means light or clear and radiant.  

There isn't a lot known about Saint Lucy.  Some sources say she was born in Syracuse, an area near Sicily,  in Italy in 283 A. D.  She was a devout Christian at a time when it was downright dangerous to be one.  She took a vow of chastity much to her mother's dismay as her mother was not a Christian.

What is known is that her mother tried to arrange a marriage for her with a Pagan man.  Lucy flat out refused  the marriage. Her mother was ill and through prayer was healed and this convinced Lucy's mother that it was okay for Lucy to commit her life to God and helping the poor.  

The man who was rejected was not happy about Lucy's turning down the marriage and ended up turning her in as a Christian to the governor.  The governor in turn tried to send her to the local brothel as a prostitute.  The governor's henchmen could not lift Lucy.  She had become as heavy as a stone statue.  

There are two stories here.  One which states Lucy gouged out her own eyes when she was told of the marriage to the Pagan man because he admired her eyes and miraculously they were restored.  The other story is the guards, who could not lift her, poked her eyes and they were miraculously restored.  This is why she is the patron saint of the blind.  

Lucy was killed by being stabbed in the throat in either 303 or 304 A. D. She's an important saint because she was brave and never gave up her beliefs.  

Most art of Saint Lucy shows her holding a dish with two eyeballs in it or holding them in her hands to go along with the stories about her eyes being plucked out.  The different depictions of her range from beautiful to a bit scary.  

Her feast day is December 13th.  In Sweden, this day marks the beginning of the Christmas season with an event called the Festival of Lights. There is a beautiful song that goes with the Festival of Lights called Santa Lucia.  There are a quite a few versions of this song, from Mario Lanza to Elvis Presley.  

Prayers to Saint Lucy-

Saint Lucy, you did not hide your light under a basket, but let it shine for the whole world, for all the centuries to see. We may not suffer torture in our lives the way you did, but we are still called to let the light of our Christianity  illumine our daily lives. Please help us to have the courage to bring our Christianity  into our work, our recreation, our relationships, our conversation - every corner of our day. Amen

and

Relying on Your goodness, O God, we humbly ask you, by the intercession of your servant, Saint Lucy, to give perfect vision to our eyes, that we may serve for your greater honor and glory. And we pray for the salvation of our souls in this world, that we may come to the enjoyment of the unfailing light of the Lamb of God in heaven. St. Lucy, virgin and martyr, hear our prayers and answer our petitions. Amen.

A good way to honor this saint is to give your time or dollars to any charity associated with the blind, such as the National Federation for the Blind.

Sources-

Catholic Saints Info Online

Catholic Online Saints & Angels

The Everything Book of Saints, by Ruth Rejnis

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