There is actually very little known about Saint Lucy, but traditions that arose about her from various parts of the world are still being celebrated during the season of Advent.

Saint Lucy was born in Italy in the latter half of the third century to rich and noble parents. Her father, who died young, was a Roman and her mother was likely of Greek origin. It is not known if her parents were Christian, but Lucy was; like many young Christian women before her, she had taken a vow of virginity, deciding that she would never marry but instead dedicate her life to Christ and the service of the poor.

This was exceptionally unusual for the time. When her mother arranged a marriage for her, Lucy managed to postpone the event for three years. She prayed at the tomb of Saint Agatha, a virgin martyr of the early Church, that through that saint’s intervention her mother might change her mind. Apparently, a miracle that cured Lucy’s mother of a long-standing illness led to her agreeing to Lucy’s request, but the man she was engaged to marry was another matter indeed.

Paschasius, who was a pagan and didn’t understand her decision at all, denounced her to the authorities as a Christian. They, in turn, subjected her to various tortures; in some accounts, they gouged out her eyes. In other stories, it is said that she plucked out her own eyes and gave them to Paschasius because he had admired them so much. In either event, it has led her to being the patron saint of eyesight and the blind. Ultimately, she was martyred in 304 A.D., although it was said that when they were preparing her body for burial, her eyes miraculously reappeared.

Later legends hold that Lucy would deliver bread to the poor and those Christians who were in hiding in the catacombs. In order to avoid detection, she came to them at night, wearing a circle of candles on her head to free up both her hands to carry food. In Sweden, it is said that during a terrible famine there, a mysterious boat appeared with Saint Lucy in the prow. Glowing with a celestial light, Saint Lucy brought so many sacks of wheat to the shore that the people were able to have bread and survive throughout the winter. To this day, Swedes celebrate “Santa Lucia’s” day by baking a special bread which is delivered to the homebound and the poor. Traditionally, the eldest girl in the family prepares breakfast for the others, waking them while wearing the circlet of candles in her hair. Everyone then celebrates by consuming the Santa Lucia buns prepared for the saint’s feast day.

Various cultures brought Saint Lucy traditions with them when they came to America. No matter where they are celebrated, however, the theme remains the same, bringing the light of Christ into the darkest time of the year. Saint Lucy, or Santa Lucia’s feast day, is celebrated December 13.