Saint Lucy
A virgin and martyr of Syracuse in Sicily, whose feast is celebrated by Latins and Greeks alike on 13 Dec. According to the traditional story, she was born of rich and noble parents about the year 283.
Patronages
According to Catholic tradition, as recorded in the sources cited for each patronage:
Eyes
Recorded as patron of eyes in:
- Drake, Saints and Their Emblems, 1916, SAINTS INVOKED FOR
Labourers
Recorded as patron of labourers in:
- Drake, Saints and Their Emblems, 1916, PATRONS OF ARTS, TRADES AND PROFESSIONS
Peasants
Recorded as patron of peasants in:
- Drake, Saints and Their Emblems, 1916, PATRONS OF ARTS, TRADES AND PROFESSIONS
- Husenbeth, Emblems of Saints, 1882, PATRONS OF ARTS, TRADES, AND PROFESSIONS.
Tailors
Recorded as patron of tailors in:
- Drake, Saints and Their Emblems, 1916, PATRONS OF ARTS, TRADES AND PROFESSIONS
- Husenbeth, Emblems of Saints, 1882, PATRONS OF ARTS, TRADES, AND PROFESSIONS.
Toledo
Recorded as patron of Toledo in:
- Husenbeth, Emblems of Saints, 1882, PATRONS OF COUNTRIES AND CITIES.
Feast day
- December 13 · General Roman Calendar
From Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913, “St. Lucy”
Her father was of Roman origin, but his early death left her dependent upon her mother, whose name, Eutychia, seems to indicate that she came of Greek stock.
Like so many of the early martyrs, Lucy had consecrated her virginity to God, and she hoped to devote all her worldly goods to the service of the poor.
Her mother was not so single-minded, but an occasion offered itself when Lucy could carry out her generous resolutions.
Prayer from The Raccolta, 1910, no. 377
WE contemplate with wonder, O glorious virgin and martyr, St Lucy, that light of living faith which GOD in his mercy was pleased to infuse into thy fair soul. By the light of this faith thou didst know how to despise the vain and fleeting things of this miserable world, and to keep thy eyes fixed on heaven, for which alone we were created. The honours, riches, and pleasures of this seductive world did not obscure thy mind, much less corrupt thy heart, to the injury of thy faith and of divine grace; so that far from consenting to the wicked proposals of the unjust judge, thou didst fearlessly and resolutely encounter even death rather than be unfaithful to thy celestial LORD. What shame for us, who, illumined also by faith and strengthened by grace, know not at all how to resist our guilty passions, despise the perverse maxims of the world, or frustrate the wiles of our enemy the devil! Therefore we beseech thee, dear Saint, to obtain for us greater light from GOD, to understand better that we are not made for earthly things, but for the things of heaven.
Works of art
