St. Lucy

The bringer of light, martyred in Sicily under Diocletian, whose name means light and whose feast brightens Advent.

The story

Lucy gave her dowry to the poor after her mother was healed at St. Agatha's tomb. Her rejected suitor denounced her. Sentenced to a brothel, she could not be moved even by oxen; sentenced to burning, the flames would not touch her; she was finally killed by the sword. Her name appears in the Roman Canon, and her feast, near the darkest day of the year, is kept with candles and light.

What Lucy teaches

Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (Jn 1:5).

Patronage

the blind, eye disorders, Syracuse, Sweden.

Prayer

St. Lucy, bearer of light, heal our eyes and our hearts, that we may see Christ clearly. Amen.