Bringer of Light
Last week we featured St. Nicholas, perhaps the most beloved extra-biblical saint. This week, we’re telling the story of a saint who might almost rival his popularity, especially during the Advent season! December 13th, St. Lucia’s Day falls in the middle of the pre-Christmas period and brings great cheer in the midst of our somber Advent preparations.
St. Lucia was a virgin born to well-off parents in Syracuse but died a martyr in the year 304 under Emperor Diocletian. Even in her time, during the last great persecution of the Roman Empire, Lucia was a pious young woman and at a young age dedicated her life entirely to the Lord. Her father died when she was young, but she still possessed her dowry, which she resolved to give away to the poor.
Lucia’s mother, however, had made other arrangements. Without knowing Lucia’s intention, her mother had betrothed her to a pagan man. It wasn’t until later that St. Lucia’s mother had a change of heart and respected Lucia’s wishes to remain a virgin. They called off the arrangement, but her suitor would have nothing of it. He immediately went and reported her to the governor for being a Christian. The governor, in turn, tried to force her into a life of prostitution and attempted to bring her to a brothel.
However, Lucia wouldn’t go, with the legend maintaining that even when they tried to force her by tying a team of oxen to her, she wouldn’t budge, firm in her convictions. So their next tactic was to force Lucia to gouge out her own eyes so that no other man would find her to be desirable. This did not deter Lucia, either. In the end her enemies persisted in their persecution, finally ending Lucia’s life with the sword. It is said that when she was prepared for burial, they found her with her eyes once again intact.
A Brief History
For some saints, it isn’t until years after their death that their life and works are officially canonize, but this was not the case with St. Lucia, who immediately brought vigor and hope to the Christians living under persecution. The account of her martyrdom was so popular that churches were already dedicated in Lucia’s name by the end of the fourth century.
As St. Lucia’s feast day falls in the darkest part of the year and was even originally celebrated on the winter solstice, she came to inspire festivals of light across Scandinavia. This is especially fitting since the name Lucia literally means “light.” You can watch entire programs of Scandinavian St. Lucia commemorations on YouTube, including this one from Sweden in 2015.
One reason for Lucia’s association with light is the legend that she would wear a crown of candles on her quests to bring provisions to the poor. That way, she wouldn’t have to hold a lantern in one of her hands, and her efforts for others could be maximized. This candle crown and the virgin-white garment she is usually depicted wearing have made their way into many traditions that are still carried on today.
Collect
Hear us, O God, our Savior, that as we rejoice in the feast of Blessed Lucy, Thy Virgin and Martyr, so we may be instructed in affection of pious devotion; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost: ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Lessons
Epistle
Gospel
Resources
Issues Etc. interview with the Rev. Dr. William Weinrich on St. Lucia
St. Lucia Day crown sewing pattern from Rev. and Mrs. Gandy
Propers found in Daily Divine Service Book: A Lutheran Daily Missal, edited by the Rev. Heath Curtis
References:
1. Vitz, Evelyn Birge. A Continual Feast. Ignatius Press. 1985.
2. Weedon, William. Celebrating the Saints. Concordia Publishing House. 2016.
Images:
1. St. Lucy, Unknown, ca. 1480-1530, Italy.
2. Legend of St. Lucy, Unknown, 1480, Belgium.
[…] first Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday immediately following these days of the Church’s calendar: St. Lucia’s Day on December 13th for the winter, the first Sunday in Lent for the spring, Pentecost for the summer, […]