Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr
“We're blind to our blindness. We have very little idea of how little we know. We're not designed to know how little we know.” ~ Daniel Kahneman
December 13th is the Feast Day of the Virgin and Martyr Saint Lucy, one of the great Saints of our Church. The name Lucy, rooted in the word ’lucid,‘ means clear, radiant, shining, or glowing. Born in the year 283 in Syracuse (pronounced “Sira-coosa“) Italy, little is known about Saint Lucy's early life. Nonetheless, her bravery and unshakable faith in God has compelled religious historians to learn as much as they can about her 21 years on this Earth.
Lucy’s mother pre-arranged a marriage between her daughter and a pagan man. Vowing to devote her life to the service of Christ, Lucy had other plans. When prayers at the tomb of Saint Agatha miraculously resulted in the curing of her mother's long, grave illness, both Lucy and her mother were suddenly on the same page. The dowry that was earmarked for her pagan bridegroom was instead donated to the poor.
Wise beyond her years, thereby making the Gospel chosen for her Feast Day remarkably apropos https://hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/Daily-Mass-Reflections-831, Lucy once remarked "Whatever you give away at death for the Lord's sake you give because you cannot take it with you. Give now to the true Savior, while you are healthy, whatever you intended to give away at your death."
Saint Lucy’s act of charity did not sit well with her jilted bridegroom, who betrayed her to the notoriously ruthless Emperor Diocletian by revealing her to be a Christian. Sentenced to be defiled as a prostitute, legend has it that Lucy was so filled with the Holy Spirit that the guards who were charged with taking her to the brothel were unable to lift and move her. Saint Lucy’s life was indeed firmly anchored in the Gifts of the Holy Spirit https://hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/Seeking-Emulating-the-Love-of-the-Holy-Spirit.
Ultimately put to death, Lucy was said to have had her eyes gouged out prior to her execution, this due to her bridegroom's infatuation with their captivating beauty. In artist depictions, Saint Lucy is frequently shown holding her eyes on a golden plate. Legend has it that when her body was being prepared for burial, it was discovered that her eyes had been restored and were even more beautiful.
Scripture tells us that we will be judged based upon our charitable works and compassion for the impoverished and indigent, the marginalized in our midst that are viewed in the eyes of the world as useless and burdensome (Matthew 25:31-40). We can all learn from the sage words of this intrepid young woman, who personified Matthew’s Gospel with courage and compassion.
Recognized appropriately enough as the Patron Saint of those afflicted with blindness and eye trouble, be sure to remember this doubly crowned virgin and martyr on December 13th, when she is celebrated as a true role model for Christians everywhere who seek to know, love and serve God in this world so that they may be with him in the heavenly paradise for all of eternity.
“O Merciful God, by the intercession of St Lucy whose name means ‘light’, increase and preserve Your light in my soul so that I may avoid evil, be faithful in living out my faith, and refrain from the blindness and darkness of sin.
St Lucy, obtain for me, by God’s blessing and your intercession, perfect vision for my eyes and the grace to use them for God’s greater honor and glory and for the salvation of souls.
St Lucy, Virgin and Martyr, hear my prayers and obtain for me an answer to my petitions ~ Amen
Saint Lucy, pray and intercede for us….
