Saint Lucy's Day

Saint Lucy’s Day, also known as the Feast of Saint Lucy, is a Christian holiday that honors Lucia, the patron saint of Syracuse, Sicily. It is celebrated on December 13, which, according to the Julian calendar, is the winter solstice or the shortest day of the year. Saint Lucy’s Day is primarily observed in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Swedish-speaking parts of Finland, and parts of Italy, although its traditions have also made their way to a few other countries, including the United States.

Background

Saint Lucy was a young girl martyred by the Romans in 304 CE. Two traditions are associated with her life.

According to one tradition, Saint Lucy was a young Christian girl who was determined to remain a virgin and devote her life to God. However, Christianity was illegal under Roman law, and the empire was in the midst of the Diocletianic Persecution, the last and most violent persecution of Christians in the empire. Saint Lucy’s mother had promised her daughter’s hand in marriage to a wealthy man who was not a Christian. Saint Lucy begged her mother to allow her to avoid the marriage. When her mother fell suddenly ill, Saint Lucy was able to miraculously heal her, after which her mother agreed to release her from the marriage. However, the groom was extremely upset by the decision, and, in his anger, he informed the Roman authorities Lucy was a Christian. The Romans demanded she renounce her faith, but she refused. As her punishment, she was sentenced to work as a prostitute. However, when the Roman soldiers came to collect her, she could not be moved. They laid wood at her feet and tried to light her on fire, but the fire had no effect. To stop her proclamations of faith, a soldier ran a spear through her throat, but, again, they could not kill her. Either the guards or Lucy gouged out her eyes. Finally, she was allowed last rites, after which she died as a martyr. When her body was being prepared for burial, her eyes reappeared. This led Lucy to be known as the patron saint of the blind.

In another traditional telling, Saint Lucy is known for bringing food and supplies to Christians hiding from persecution in the Roman catacombs. She wore a wreath of candles on her head to light her way, leaving both hands free to carry more. Her feast day appropriately falls on the shortest day of the year, bringing light to the long darkness of the night. According to this legend, Saint Lucy is honored for her acts and did not die a martyr.

Overview

Saint Lucy lived in the early fourth century, but the Feast of Saint Lucy did not become a universal Church festival until the sixth century. When evangelical missionaries arrived in Sweden to convert the local population, they brought with them the story and traditions of Saint Lucy. These traditions eventually found their way to other Scandinavian countries. The story of Saint Lucy as a bearer of light resonated with the Swedish people, who experience extremely long nights in winter and long days in summer. The legend fits easily into the Nordic folklore of the evil of darkness and the goodness of light. Observation of the Feast of Saint Lucy in this region dates to the Middle Ages in the Roman Catholic Church and continued following the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s. As a result, Saint Lucy is one of the few saints recognized by Nordic Lutherans.

Despite its long history, the modern celebration of Saint Lucy’s Day is only about two hundred years old. The main event of most celebrations is a procession of children dressed in white. One older girl is designated to represent Saint Lucy; she leads the procession wearing a wreath of candles (in modern times these are battery-operated candles) on her head and, in some traditions, a sash of red to symbolize her martyrdom. The candles may symbolize the coming of the light of Christ into the world and the fire that did not consume Saint Lucy. She may carry cookies and saffron buns.

Saint Lucy is followed by handmaidens, star boys, gingerbread men, and Christmas elves, each bearing a candle or other form of light. The children sing while processing, often within a dimmed and quiet environment to accentuate their voices and the dramatic effect of the many lights. At the end, they may distribute baked goods and beverages to others. Traditional treats include saffron buns, gingerbread cookies, mulled wine, coffee, almonds, and raisins. The procession of children traditionally took place within the home but is more commonly observed in a church, community, or school setting.

In most Scandinavian countries (except Denmark), Saint Lucy’s Day is a secular holiday. An official Lucias, usually selected by local government or school officials, may engage in such activities as visiting shopping malls or community events and walking in parades, handing out treats to children and the elderly. In the United States, processionals are held in Catholic and some Lutheran churches on the Sunday closest to December 13. Saint Lucy’s Day continues to be celebrated in certain regions of Italy as well as parts of Croatia and Hungary. The Italian maiden is believed to arrive on a donkey and, in the manner of Saint Nicholas, to leave gifts for good children during the night.

The Feast of Saint Lucy remains an important cultural tradition in Sweden and other Nordic countries. It is a celebration of light overcoming darkness and goodness overcoming evil. The songs associated with the day celebrate the coming of light, with Saint Lucy as the bearer of the light.

Bibliography

Barnhill, Carla. “St. Lucy’s Day.” Christian History Institute, 2012, christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/st-lucys-day. Accessed 1 May 2024.

Indrelid, Tone Delin. “The Scandinavian Santa Lucia Celebrations Explained.” Life in Norway, 1 Dec. 2021, www.lifeinnorway.net/santa-lucia-day/. Accessed 1 May 2024.

Knibbs, Jessica. “What Is Saint Lucy’s Day and Why Is It Celebrated? Origins, Customs and Foods Eaten.” Evening Standard, 13 Dec. 2022, www.standard.co.uk/news/what-saint-lucys-day-why-celebrated-sweden-b1046807.html. Accessed 1 May 2024.

“The Lucia Tradition: What Does Midwinter Have to Do with White Gowns and Candles? It’s Swedish Lucia!” Swedish Institute, 7 Dec. 2022, sweden.se/culture/celebrations/the-lucia-tradition. Accessed 1 May 2024.

“Santa Lucia’s Day: Lighting the Way to Christmas.” History UK, www.history.co.uk/articles/the-history-of-santa-lucias-day. Accessed 1 May 2024.