There is little information that can be historically verified about St. Lucy’s life, but the fact that she was a well-known and honored saint in the early Church cannot be denied. Lucy continues to remain among the most revered martyrs—she is one of the few saints invoked in the Eucharistic prayer at Mass.

Tradition tells us that Lucy was born to wealthy parents in Sicily, Italy. As a young girl, Lucy converted to Christianity and consecrated herself, pledging to remain a virgin. She kept her conversion a secret from her parents, who, in the meantime, promised Lucy in marriage to a young man who was a pagan.

Lucy refused outright to marry the young man, citing her vow of virginity. Stung and rejected, her betrothed denounced Lucy as a Christian in front of the governor of their province. Emperor Diocletian’s persecution of Christians was at its height, and Lucy was brought to trial, around the year 304 AD.

There are many interpretations regarding Lucy’s possible martyrdom. One tells the story of a judge condemning Lucy to a brothel. But when anyone tried to touch her, they were unable to reach or move her. A variation on this story says that Lucy was so “filled with the Holy Spirit” she became like a mountain, and not even a team of oxen could move her. Another account says that soldiers tried to burn her, but Lucy remained unscorched by the flames. Finally, accounts claim that Lucy was killed by the sword: either beheaded or stabbed through the eyes.

Lucy’s eyes were another part of her life story that is debated. Some stories recount Lucy’s eyes being gouged out by part of her torture; some claim that she herself plucked them out before she was even brought to trial, in order to ward off her suitor. Her eyes were restored to her, however, and she was even more beautiful than before. Lucy’s name comes from the Latin for “light,” and as light is received ocularly, eyes are a natural symbol for this saint. Lucy is the patron of those who are blind or who suffer from diseases of the eye.

On the old Gregorian calendar, December 13 was the Winter Solstice. Thus, this feast day of Lucy’s martyrdom was celebrated on the darkest day of the year. St. Lucy became a symbol of the light of Christ that breaks through the darkness. In Scandinavian countries, where winter was particularly dark, St. Lucy or “St. Lucia’s” day became a great celebration. King Canute of Norway declared that St. Lucy’s feast day on December 13 would become the beginning of the Christmas celebration. To learn more about the Norwegian traditions surrounding Saint Lucia, click here.

Some relics of St. Lucy rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on campus, and Lucy is also depicted in one of the murals on the Basilica’s walls, holding her eyes on a plate.

St. Lucy, brave intercessor for those in need of physical and spiritual light—pray for us!