St. Lucy (283-304) is honored as one of the virgin martyrs. Very little is known historically about her but there are many legends surrounding her life and death, which became popular in the Middle Ages. In many of the stories about Lucy, her eyes are gouged out when she refuses to break her vow of consecrated virginity to Christ and marry a pagan. She is often portrayed in artwork as holding her eyeballs on a platter. It was said that God replaced her eyes with an even more beautiful pair before she was finally executed. St. Lucy’s feast day (December 13), which falls in Advent during the darkest time of the year, is popular in many Scandinavian countries, where young girls have traditionally worn a wreath of lighted candles on their heads in Lucy’s honor. Lucy’s name derives from the Latin “lux,” meaning “light.”
Questions for Reflection:
- In this Advent season, in what ways are you experiencing darkness in your life? Where do you most need to feel the light of Christ break through? In what areas of your life do you need God to give you new eyes, new insight?
