December 13 is traditionally celebrated on the Church calendar as the Feast Day of St. Lucy (Santa Lucia). Also known as Lucia of Syracuse (Italy), Lucy was a late third and early fourth century Roman Christian who was one of the first martyrs of the Diocletian persecution in 303 AD. She came from a wealthy family, but renounced her wealthy to ministry among the poor. Tradition says that she used a wreath of candles on her head to bring food to fellow Christians who were hiding in the Roman catacombs. This aspect of Lucy’s story may not be entirely accurate, however, we can appreciate the sentiment behind it in that Lucy gave of herself for the good of others, and ultimately gave her life for the sake of the gospel.
Her feast day is celebrated all over the world, but is more prominent in Italy, Norway, Denmark, and various Eastern European countries. Her name Lucy (or Lucia) means “light”, which is fitting for the light of the gospel that she brought to the poor she served so selflessly. Her memory is honored by lighting a candle or a wreath of candles. Families also celebrate the Feast Dat of St. Lucy by making a dish called cuccia, or special cookies. The song “Santa Lucia” is also sung in commemoration. For more ideas on how to celebrate, see Ashley Tumlin Wallace’s book The Liturgical Home: Advent.
Use the collect (prayer) of the day below and the Bible reading selection in your devotional time today as you reflect on the life and legacy of St. Lucy.
Collect (Prayer) of the Day
Almighty God, we thank you for the life and legacy of your servant Lucy of Syracuse who renounced her earthly wealth to serve those in poverty. May we, by your grace, imitate her witness and generosity. If necessary, help us to be willing to give our very lives for the sake of the gospel. We ask this in the precious name of Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
Bible Reading
Matthew 25:31-46 (ESV)
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
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