SANTA LUCIA: LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

December 13 marks the feast of Santa Lucia or Lucy. She is regarded as a virgin martyr who was put to death during the Diocletian persecution, 304 AD. Like all martyrdoms, her story was written down to encourage the faithful to persist in the midst of trials. Often these accounts are unreliable, even though they are intended for good. 

Lucy is identified as a Sicilian, born of noble and wealthy parents in the city of Syracuse. Her father is said to have died in her infancy. Yet, her mother saw to it that Lucy was raised in the true faith under difficult circumstances. At a young age, she made a secret vow of virginity to God. When her mother decided that her daughter should be wed to a young man who was an unbeliever, Lucy pleaded with her mother to let her keep the vow she had made to God. She convinced her mother to travel to Catania to seek God’s counsel in prayer at the tomb of Saint Agatha. (Agatha was a well-known Sicilian martyr [251 AD] who had been whipped, burned and mutilated before being rolled naked in hot coals and broken glass.) While there they prayed for the healing of her mother’s hemorrhage. When she was healed her mother agreed that Lucy should remain unmarried. The young man became angry and accused her of being a Christian before the governor. The judge sentenced her to a brothel to serve as a prostitute, but God prevented the guards from moving her and taking her to the brothel. In his anger, the judge ordered that her eyes were to be plucked out. When an attempt to burn her failed, a sword was thrust through her throat. St. Lucy became associated with festivals of light in the Scandinavian countries. Her blindness plunged her into darkness, but led her to rely all the more on the One who is the Light of the World. 

Is there any encouragement in such a story today? As I said, the story has no solid historical evidence, but there is a very important set of underlying matters that should always provide hope. First, the plucking out of her eyes is surely connected to the story of Samson. Only when his eyes are removed and he is cast into prison does he see that which is true. Or perhaps, you would prefer to think of the blind men outside Jericho whose sight is restored just before Jesus’ death and resurrection for our bodies of death see Christ even when our eyes are removed. Second, the recurring theme of fire being unable to burn the faithful is surely intended to remind all the hearers of the Easter vigil account of the three men in the fiery furnace who are joined by a fourth who looks like the Son of Man. The fires could not harm them even as the fires of hell shall not harm those who live in their baptisms, hear the preaching of Christ crucified, and eat and drink at the feast of the Lamb. Third, the theme of virginity reminds all of us that we are given one Bridegroom, our Lord Jesus Christ. We are called to be faithful to the One who made us His Bride when He poured out blood and water from His side at the cross. Surely, He will not leave His Bride, but will deliver the wise virgins to the eternal wedding feast. Fourth, even the healing of the hemorrhage of Lucy’s mother should lead us to recall the woman who came to Jesus having suffered from a flow of blood for twelve years. She had spent all her money on doctors but had found no healing. Yet, when she touched Christ’s garment, power came out from Him and healed her. So also, Christ is there for our healing as we touch His own flesh and blood in the Blessed Sacrament. There the power of the crucified and risen Lord gives forgiveness of sins, life and salvation to those who trust His Word. Finally, the sword that is thrust through her throat is a reminder that the sword pierced Mary’s soul as she observes the death of her own Son. In addition, the sword did not silence the confession of Lucy for her ongoing story is the story of Christ defending the whole Church on earth against all the attacks of the Evil One. In a day and age where society is increasingly opposed to Christianity, like saints before us, it is perhaps good that we encourage one another all the more as we see the Day approaching.