SAINT LUCIA

SAINT LUCIA IS A CHRISTIAN SAINT

She is the patron saint of Syracuse in Italy an the helper of the blind

THE CELEBRATION BEGINS BEFORE DAWN ON DECEMBER 13

Under the old Julian calendar (used in Sweden before 1753) the thirteenth was Christmas Day and the longest night of the year. Throughout Sweden, the eldest daughter in each household comes to her sleeping parents, dressed in a long white gown tied with a red sash, and wearing a crown of lingonberry leaves holding seven lighted candles. She carries a tray of steaming hot coffee and buns called “Lussekattor”

After her come the bridesmaids, who are usually her sisters, and also have candles and wear wreaths of tinsel in their hair. In the back walks the bride's brothers, wearing pointed caps with stars and handing out peppernuts to the onlookers. If the procession is held in a church or school, a grown-up will walk with the children, carrying a bucket of water in case the crown slips or a child isn't careful.

When Lucia was a young girl, her mother was very sick. She travelled with her mother to the grave of holy Agatha to pray, and during that prayer, Lucia saw in a vision that she was to become the patron saint of Syracuse. Her mother became instantly well. In thankfulness, Lucia persuaded her mother to share her weath with the poor.

Lucia was painted carrying her eyes outside of their appointed place. According to myth, this is because she desired to be a bride of Christ, so she ripped out her eyes so that a man could never see them and fall in love with her.

Lucia was supposed to marry a Roman man, who, to Lucia was a heathen. After many refusals, she was accused of being a Christian. She was given the choice to burn an offering to the Roman Emperor, but she refused, saying that she offered everything to God.

It was decided instead that they would burn Lucia as the offering, but she could not be taken from her home, not even with oxen. She said the Holy Spirit was protecting her.

It was arranged for the executioner to kill her in her mother's home. She was later declared a saint by the Church.

FUN FACT

SOURCES

• Lucia's life and picture from https://historiful.wordpress.com/2010/12/13/the-story-of-saint-lucia/
• Island from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destination/stlucia/49765/St-Lucia-travel...
• Syracuse picture from http://www.understandingitaly.com/sicily-content/siracusa.html
• Procession picture and information from http://www.touchofeuropeblog.com/blog/2010/12/10/st-lucia-holiday-celebrati...