Saint Lucia - Lightbringer

​I decided to talk about people who are Light bringers this month for a  Spiritual Show. People who represent hope and care for themselves and their communities. I feel it is really important for us to focus on the Light and bringing light to our homes and communities. We are starting with Saint Lucia or Saint Lucy. 

Saint Lucia Day - Festival of Lights & Renewal 

Saint Lucia was a young. wealthy Christian Martyr, from Syracuse, Sicily, executed around 304 AD for her faith during Roman persecution of Christians. 
Lucia consecrated her life to Christ, promising to remain a virgin, which angered her mother who promised her in marriage to a wealthy non- Christian (Pagan) 
She secretly gave away her dowry to the poor, angering her fiancé. 
The spurred suitor denounced her as a Christian to the Roman Governor. 
She was ordered to sacrifice to emperor’s image, she refused. 
Lucia was condemned to a brothel but miraculously could not be moved, even with a team of oxen. 
When the governor found out he ordered her burned alive. The flames had no effect on her.  She was finally killed by a sword piercing her neck. 

There is an alternate story of Lucia wearing a wreath with candles lit in it while bring food to the poor during the night. That was against what her family thought she should be doing after refusing to marry a non Christian and giving her dowry to the poor.  

Lucia’s name derives from the latin word Lux or Lucia - meaning light. This connection to light, along with her feast day coinciding with the winter solstice on the old Julian calendar, has made her a symbol of light during the darkest time of the year. This is particularly significant in Scandinavian countries, where her day is celebrated with processions, involving girls wearing a wreath of candles on their heads. 

A prominent legend, though in the earliest accounts, states that her eyes were gouged out during her torture, or that she removed them herself to deter a persistent suitor. It is said her eyes were miraculously restored before her burial. For this reason, she is regarded as the patron saint of the blind and those with eye problems.

Feast day - 12/13
Lucia is the patron saint of the blind, eye diseases, throat infections, writers and the city of Syracuse, Italy
Lucia is often depicted holding a dish or plate with a pair of eyes on it and sometimes a lamp or palm branch, a symbol of martyrdom. 
Lucia’s Legacy is one of only eight women (excluding the Mother Mary) commemorated by name in the Canon of the Mass in the Catholic Church.

Saint Lucia’s day is widely celebrated as a festival of light, particularly in Scandinavian countries and certain regions of Italy, where it marks the beginning of the Holiday season. 
Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland. The festival is a cherished Advent celebration. The eldest daughter in a family traditionally dresses in a white gown with a red sash and a wreath of candles on her head, serving saffron buns to her family. There are also processions in schools, and public squares, featuring choirs singing traditional songs. 
In Italy bonfires and torchlight processions are held in honor of the saint, especially in Syracuse, Sicily, where Lucia was born and martyred around 304 C.E. Her remains are housed in the Church of San Geremia in Venice. 

Because of Saint Lucia we have these traditions around the world during December - 

There are competitions where artisans (youth and adults) create elaborate lanterns from various materials like paper and natural items. These lanterns often depict themes from local culture.

Candle celebrations inside and outside during the evening of Dec. 13th. with a maiden and her friends dressed in white carrying candles and sweets to give away.  The females carrying candles in the dark, let us know the there is always light in all of our darkness. 

The ‘lighting of the Christmas Tree’ in towns and cities. 

Fireworks displays

---

---

Let's light candles for Saint Lucia on December 13th for giving us a way to celebrate her and the holiday season!
Have a beautiful week! Stay safe! Keep your heart open and aligned with the energy of LOVE! 
​Auriel Grace