Today’s Saint Spotlight is St. Lucy.

Saint Lucy lived in Syracuse, Sicily, sometime in the 280s. She was reared as a Christian and at a very young age made a vow of virginity. Her parents, not knowing of her vow, tried to get Lucy married to a pagan Roman. In response to her prayer for help, Lucy received a vision of St. Agatha, who told her that she and her mother should make a pilgrimage to her tomb. Now, St. Lucy’s mother was suffering from a certain unknown illness and was said to be healed after reaching St. Agatha’s tomb. After the miracle, Lucy told her mother about her vow and virginity and her mother told the suitor that he couldn’t marry Lucy.

However, the rejection sparked anger in the suitor, and he declared to the governor of Sicily that Lucy was a Christian. In adherence to the anti-Christian policies of Emperor Diocletian, the young girl was subjected to a series of gruesome tortures. First, in blatant disregard for her vow, she was sent to a house of ill repute, but was miraculously saved and even said to have converted some of the people there. Second, it is said that her eyes were plucked out (that is why she is sometimes shown with her eyes in a cup); however, the next day, God restored them to her. Lastly, after escaping death by wild animals in an arena, St. Lucy was tied to a burning stake, but even from this she was saved.
The actual circumstances of her death are vague, but the Church says with some certainty that she died by the sword around the year 304. Venerations to her name were practiced by the Church no later than the fourth century. Her name is also inscribed in the Canon of the Saints.

St. Lucy, pray for us!

Fun Fact – The name ‘Lucy’ means ‘light’ and/or ‘lucid.’

Sources:

Ed. Hoever, S.O.Cist, Ph.D., Rev. Hugo Lives of the Saints for Every Day of the Year (New York: Catholic Book Publishing Co., 1955)

Kalberer, O.S.B., Augustine Live of the Saints (Chicago: Franciscon Herald Press, 1983)

Bunson, Matthew Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Catholic History (Indiana: Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division, 1995)