Saint Lucy was a virgin and martyr from Syracuse in Sicily, and her feast is celebrated on December 13. Tradition says she was born in the year 283 to a wealthy and noble family. Her father was Roman, but he died when Lucy was young, leaving her in the care of her mother, Eutychia, who is believed to have been of Greek origin.
Like many early Christian martyrs, Saint Lucy dedicated her life and her virginity to God. She wished to give away her riches and serve the poor. However, her mother arranged a marriage for her. For three years, Lucy managed to delay the wedding while remaining firm in her commitment to God.
Lucy prayed at the tomb of Saint Agatha, asking that her mother’s heart might be changed. Through her prayers, her mother was cured of a long and serious illness involving constant bleeding. Grateful for her healing, Eutychia allowed Lucy to live according to her faith and devotion to God.
The rejected suitor, Paschasius, became angry and reported Lucy to the authorities as a Christian. The governor ordered that she be taken away and forced into prostitution. When soldiers came to seize her, they found they could not move her, even after trying to drag her away with oxen. Enraged by this, the governor decided she should be put to death.
Lucy endured severe torture. According to tradition, her eyes were torn out, and she was surrounded by bundles of wood that were set on fire. The flames, however, did not harm her and soon went out. Before her death, she spoke boldly against her persecutors. She was finally killed when a dagger was thrust into her body.
Later traditions offer different accounts about her eyes. Some say she foretold punishment for Paschasius, after which her eyes were gouged out by order of the governor. Another version says Lucy herself removed her eyes to discourage a suitor who admired her beauty. When her body was prepared for burial, her eyes were found to have been miraculously restored.
Because of this miracle and the meaning of her name, which is linked to light, Saint Lucy became the patron saint of the blind, those suffering from eye diseases, and people with vision problems.