St. Lucia is also referred to as St. Lucy or St. Lucie. She was born in a Christian family and vowed her life to Christ early on. She was martyred during the Diocletianic Persecution. Saint Lucy’s name means “light”, and her Feast Day December 13, is marked in some locales with a Sancta Lucia Procession, where a girl with a crown of candles processes followed by other girls with single candles.
Lucia was a chaste woman and determined to remain a Bride of Christ. Her mother, however, was protective and concerned about Lucy’s future. Lucy’s mother arranged a marriage for her with a young wealthy pagan man. This upset Lucy, and she tried to prolong the engagement. She prayed that God would intercede and change her mother’s mind. When her mother was healed from a serious bleeding disorder, she agreed to support Lucy’s faith and commitment to God.
When her to-be bridegroom discovered her Christian faith, she was reported to the governor of Sicily. She then underwent persecution and even had her eyes gouged out. She was ultimately stabbed and executed. In images she is often shown with her eyes held on a plate and a lily in her hands. Today, St. Lucia serves as a patron for those suffering from serious bleeding disorders and other illnesses. She is also a patron of saints for lawyers, writers, seamstresses, poor people and more.
