Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr

Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr (283-304)
Feast Day: December 13

Saint Lucy, whose Latin name “Lucia” means light, is the patron saint of the blind and those suffering from eye diseases. Born of rich and noble parents, she consecrated her virginity to God despite an arranged marriage to a wealthy pagan. This caused the frustrated suitor to denounce her to Paschasius, the Roman Governor of Syracuse, whose guards attempted to take her away but was unable to move her even after hitching her to a team of oxen. So they set up wood on fire around her but it wouldn’t burn. Saint Lucy was finally put to death by the sword. She was also tortured by eye-gouging, but as her body was being prepared for burial, it was discovered that her eyes had been miraculously restored. Her icon is frequently shown holding her two eyes on a golden plate and a palm branch, a symbol of victory over evil. (Josielyn G. Sunga)