Dec 13 - St Lucy

+ St Lucy was one of the most popular saints of the first centuries of the Church. Living in the early part of the fourth century, she was born in Syracuse, Sicily, to wealthy Christian parents of Greek ancestry. Raised in a pious family, she vowed her life to Christ. Her Roman father died when she was young, and her mother arranged a marriage for her. For three years Lucy managed to keep the marriage on hold. To change her mother’s mind about her desire to give her life to Christ as a virgin, Lucy prayed at the tomb of Saint Agatha for her mother’s bleeding illness to be cured, and it was cured, and so her mother agreed with Lucy’s desire to live for God.

Now, Lucy’s rejected bridegroom, denounced Lucy as a Christian to the governor of Sicily, who sentenced her to forced prostitution; but when guards went to fetch her, they could not move her even after hitching her to a team of oxen. The governor ordered her killed instead. After torture, which included having her eyes torn out, she was surrounded by bundles of wood which were set afire, but immediately went out. She then prophesied against her persecutors with a strong voice and was finally executed by being stabbed to death with a dagger.

Legend says her eyesight was restored before her death. The removal of her eyes, and the meaning of her name “light” – led to her connection with eyes, the blind, eye trouble, and the like. Through her intercession may the eyes of our faith be enlightened this day, so that we can see clearly the marvels God is doing for us, has done and will continue to do, so long as we are faithful and persistent in our Christian beliefs. May we not be afraid to put things on the line for him and his glory, as did St. Lucy of Syracuse – for he may come again as he promised at any time, and like the wise virgins of the gospel passage today, we will then be ready to go into the wedding feast with him!

This is the wise virgin, whom the Lord found waiting; at his coming, she went in with him to the wedding feast!