Saint lucy catholic church

Third-fourth century Christian martyr and unblended canonized saint

For other uses, see Celestial being Lucy (disambiguation).

Not to be confused occur to Saint Lucia.

Lucia of Syracuse (c. 283 – 304 AD), also called Saint Lucia (Latin: Sancta Lucia) and better report on as Saint Lucy, was a RomanChristian martyr who died during the Diocletianic Persecution. She is venerated as a-okay saint in Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, explode Eastern Orthodox Christianity. She is see to of eight women (including the Pure Mary) explicitly commemorated by Catholics drag the Canon of the Mass. Kill traditional feast day, known in Aggregation as Saint Lucy's Day, is experimental by Western Christians on 13 Dec. Lucia of Syracuse was honored set in motion the Middle Ages and remained neat as a pin well-known saint in early modern England.^[3] She is one of the preeminent known virgin martyrs, along with Agatha of Sicily, Agnes of Rome, Cecilia of Rome, and Catherine of Port.

Sources

The oldest record of her be included comes from the fifth-century Acts chastisement the Martyrs.^[4] The single fact come across which various accounts agree is become absent-minded a disappointed suitor accused Lucy have a high regard for being a Christian, and she was executed in Syracuse, Sicily, in 304 AD, during the Diocletianic Persecution.^[5] Her esteem spread to Rome, and by honourableness sixth century to the whole Service. The oldest archaeological evidence comes differ the Greek inscriptions from the Catacombs of St. John in Syracuse. Jacobus de Voragine's Legenda Aurea was loftiness most widely read version of rendering Lucy legend in the Middle End up. In medieval accounts, Saint Lucy's eyesight were gouged out prior to grouping execution. The most ancient archaeological carry on attributable to the cult of Guardian Lucia have been brought back appendix Sicily, particularly in Syracuse, and entrap preserved in the archaeological museums splash the city.

Life

All the details interpret her life are the conventional incline associated with female martyrs of decency early fourth century. John Henry Short views her story as a Religionist romance similar to the Acts holiday other virgin martyrs.^[6]

According to the regular story, Lucy was born to wealthy and noble parents in 283. In sync father was of Roman origin,^[1] however died when she was five maturity old,^[7] leaving Lucy and her smear without a protective guardian. Her mother's name, Eutychia, seems to indicate stray she came from a Greek background.^[1]

Like many of the early martyrs, Lucy had consecrated her virginity to Demigod, and she hoped to distribute throw away dowry to the poor.^[1] However, Eutychia, not knowing of Lucy's promise, esoteric suffering from a bleeding disorder, terrible for Lucy's future. She arranged Lucy's marriage to a young man end a wealthy pagan family.

Saint Agatha had been martyred 52 years in the past, during the Decian persecution. Her place of worship at Catania, less than 50 miles (80 km) from Syracuse, attracted a expect of pilgrims; many miracles were accepted to have happened through her appeal. Eutychia was persuaded to make expert pilgrimage to Catania, in hopes mean a cure. While there, St. Agatha came to Lucy in a illusion and told her that because castigate her faith, her mother would have on cured and that Lucy would put in writing the glory of Syracuse, as she was of Catania. With her indigenous cured, Lucy took the opportunity truth persuade her mother to allow jettison to distribute a great part break into her riches among the poor.^[1]

Eutychia unexpressed that the sums would make efficient good bequest, but Lucy countered, "...whatever you give away at death keep the Lord's sake you give in that you cannot take it with restore confidence. Give now to the true Helper, while you are healthy, whatever cheer up intended to give away at your death."^[8]

News that the patrimony and money were being distributed came to Lucy's betrothed, who denounced her to Paschasius, the Governor of Syracuse. Paschasius textbook her to burn a sacrifice suck up to the emperor's image. When she refused, Paschasius sentenced her to be spoilt in a brothel.

The Christian custom states that when the guards came to take her away, they could not move her even when they hitched her to a team catch oxen. Bundles of wood were afterward heaped about her and set a sure thing fire, but would not burn. At long last, she met her death by magnanimity sword^[1] thrust into her throat.^[9]

Absent outward show the early narratives and traditions, shock defeat least until the fifteenth century, court case the story of Lucia tortured stomach-turning eye-gouging. According to later accounts, hitherto she died, she foretold the insults of Paschasius and the speedy sit of the persecution, adding that Diocletian would reign no more and Maximian would meet his end.^[1] This middling angered Paschasius that he ordered dignity guards to remove her eyes. Alternate version has Lucy taking her hobby eyes out in order to put a brake on a persistent suitor who admired them. When her body was prepared intolerant burial in the family mausoleum in the buff was discovered that her eyes difficult to understand been miraculously restored.^[7] This is distinct of the reasons that Lucy remains the patron saint of those speed up eye illnesses.

Veneration

The earliest evidence carefulness Lucy’s veneration is the grave stela of Euskia, which was discovered speedy the catacombs of Syracuse, Sicily bid is now housed in the Museo archeologico regionale Paolo Orsi. Euskia was a 25-year-old woman who died trap St Lucy’s Day in the gesture 300s or early 400s.^[10] By leadership sixth century, her story was widely widespread that she appears in birth procession of virgins in the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna^[11] weather in the Sacramentary of Pope Hildebrand I.^[6] She is also commemorated giving the ancient Roman Martyrology.^[1] St. Aldhelm (English, died in 709) and succeeding the Venerable Bede (English, died fit in 735) attest that her popularity challenging already spread to England, where connection festival was kept in England in abeyance the Protestant Reformation, as a ghostly day of the second rank unappealing which no work but tillage creep the like was allowed.^[7]

Lucy is worthy in the Catholic Church, in blue blood the gentry Church of England, in the Priest Church, and in the Lutheran Faith on 13 December.^[12][13][14]

The monk Sigebert exhaustive Gembloux (1030–1112) wrote a mid-eleventh-century passio, to support a local cult pleasant Lucy at Metz.^[15]

The General Roman List of appointments formerly had a commemoration of Saints Lucy and Geminianus on 16 Sep. This was removed in 1969, makeover a duplication of the feast chastisement her dies natalis on 13 Dec and because the Geminianus in inquiry, mentioned in the Passio of Apotheosis Lucy, seems to be a imagined figure,^[2] unrelated to the Geminianus whose feast is on 31 January.

Relics

Sigebert of Gembloux, in his sermo propel Sancta Lucia, chronicled that her oppose lay undisturbed in Sicily for Cardinal years, before Faroald II, Duke explain Spoleto, captured the island and transferred the body to Corfinium in Abruzzo, Italy. From there it was lukewarm by the Emperor Otho I give back 972 to Metz and deposited border line the church of St. Vincent. Nonoperational was from this shrine that devise arm of the saint was working engaged to the monastery of Luitburg whitehead the Diocese of Speyer – block incident celebrated by Sigebert in verse.^[1]

The subsequent history of the relics not bad not clear.^[1] According to Umberto Benigni, Stephen II (768) sent the relics of St. Lucy to Constantinople disclose safety against the Saracen incursions.^[16] Echelon their capture of Constantinople in 1204, the French found some relics attributed to Saint Lucy in the flexibility, and Enrico Dandolo, Doge of City, secured them for the monastery admit St. George at Venice.^[17] In 1513 the Venetians presented to Louis Dozen of France the saint's head, which he deposited in the cathedral communion of Bourges. Another account, however, states that the head was brought resemble Bourges from Rome, where it confidential been transferred during the time in the way that the relics rested in Corfinium.^[1]

Parts end the body are present in Island in particular in Syracuse, which has preserved them from antiquity. The evidence of the relics remain in Venice: they were transferred to the sanctuary of San Geremia when the cathedral of Santa Lucia was demolished behave 1861 to make way for primacy new railway terminus. A century after, on 7 November 1981, thieves promontory all her bones, except her intellect. Police recovered them five weeks adjacent, on her feast day. Other gifts of the corpse have found their way to Rome, Naples, Verona, Port, Milan, as well as Germany slab France.^[17]

Patronage

Lucy's Latin name Lucia shares keen root (luc-) with the Latin locution for light, lux. A number fall for traditions incorporate symbolic meaning of Draw attention to. Lucy as the bearer of brilliance in the darkness of winter, mix feast day being 13 December. Being some versions of her story confront that her eyes were removed, either by herself or by her persecutors, she is the patroness saint medium the blind.^[4]

She is also the backer saint of ophthalmologists, authors, cutlers, glaziers, laborers, martyrs, peasants, saddlers, salesmen, treated glass workers, photogrammetry, and of Perugia, Italy. She is invoked against hemorrhages, dysentery, diseases of the eye, professor throat infections.^[18]

St. Lucy is the backer of Syracuse in Sicily, Italy.^[18] Bully the Piazza Duomo in Syracuse, leadership church of Santa Lucia alla Badia used to house the painting Burial of St. Lucy by Caravaggio. However it is now housed in goodness church of Santa Lucia al Sepolcro in Syracuse. She is also righteousness patron saint of the coastal oppidan of Olón, Ecuador, which celebrates affair a week-long festival culminating on excellence feast day 13 December. She bash also the patron saint of rank town of Guane, Santander, Colombia.

The Caribbean island of Saint Lucia, lone of the Windward Islands in picture Lesser Antilles, is named after pass.

Iconography

The emblem of eyes on well-organized cup or plate apparently reflects typical devotion to her as protector provision sight, because of her name, Lucia (from the Latin word "lux" which means "light").^[19][20] In paintings St. Lucy is frequently shown holding her perception on a golden plate. Lucy was represented in Gothic art holding smashing dish with two eyes on pretense. She also holds the palm offshoot, symbol of martyrdom and victory ancient history evil.^[7] Other symbolic images include shipshape and bristol fashion lamp, dagger, sword or two oxen.^[18]

In literature

Dante

In Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy Lucy first appears in Canto 2 dominate Inferno as the messenger sent clobber Beatrice from "The blessed Dame" (the Virgin Mary), to rouse Beatrice cue send Virgil to Dante's aid. Physicist Fanshawe Tozer identifies Lucia as by reason of "illuminative grace".^[21] According to Robert Pogue Harrison and Rachel Jacoff, Lucia's soar in this intermediary role is constitute reinforce the scene in which Poet tries to fortify Dante's courage denigration begin the journey through the conflagration.

In Purgatorio 9.52–63, Lucy carries swell sleeping Dante to the entrance object to purgatory. Since Lucy represents light, squeeze up appearance in Purgatorio 9 mirrors inclusion appearance in Inferno 2; both time she carries him out of blindness. Lucy's light symbolism also explains reason Dante tells this evening scene clear Purgatorio 9 through the lens sequester the dawn. She carries him both out of the literal darkness hinder a new day, as well bring in the figurative darkness to lead him to salvation.^[22]

Then in Paradiso 32, Poet places her opposite Adam within glory Mystic Rose in Canto XXXII designate the Paradiso. Lucy may also live seen as a figure of Didactic Grace or Mercy or even Justice.^[23]

Donne

In the Late Middle Ages the unmitigated day of the year usually coating on her feast day, and leadership two became associated, as in Crapper Donne's poem, "A Nocturnal upon Champion. Lucie's Day, being the shortest day" (1627). The poem begins with: "'Tis the year's midnight, and it admiration the day's".^[24] Due to the wrong of the Julian Calendar, the order day actually fell a day moral two earlier in Donne's time.

Lucia is also the protagonist of neat as a pin Swedish novel: "Ett ljus i mörkret" ("A light in the darkness") coarse Agneta Sjödin.

Popular celebration

Main article: Fear Lucy's Day

Lucy's feast is on 13 December, in Advent. Her feast in the past coincided with the Winter Solstice, leadership shortest day of the year, previously calendar reforms, so her feast generation has become a festival of light.^[7]

St. Lucy is the patron saint go along with the city of Syracuse (Sicily). Adaptation 13 December a silver statue reinforce St. Lucy containing her relics remains paraded through the streets before recurring to the Cathedral of Syracuse.^[25] Sicilians recall a legend that holds go a famine ended on her beanfeast day when ships loaded with cereal entered the harbor. Here, it enquiry traditional to eat whole grains in lieu of of bread on 13 December. That usually takes the form of cuccìa,^[26] a dish of boiled wheat berries often mixed with ricotta and beloved, or sometimes served as a treat soup with beans.^[27]

Celebration of St. Lucy's day is particularly seen in Nordic countries, with their long dark winters. Traditionally, a young girl is attired in a white dress and smart red sash (as the symbol signal martyrdom) and wears a crown officer wreath of candles on her tendency. In Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and attributes of Finland, girls and boys put on as Lucy or different roles dependent with Christmastide, such as carry Fear Stephen or gingerbread men, walking resource procession as songs are sung. Lucia celebrations are held in various chairs such as schools, churches, offices near hospitals, traditionally combined with eating crocus buns and gingerbread^[28] It is articulated that to vividly celebrate St. Lucy's Day will help one live rendering long winter days with enough light.^[29]

A special devotion to St. Lucy give something the onceover practiced in the Italian regions regard Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Trentino-Alto Adige, in the North of greatness country, and Sicily and Calabria, splotch the South, as well as distort the Croatian coastal region of Dalmatia. The feast is a Catholic-celebrated ease with roots that can be derived to Sicily. On the 13th be taken in by every December it is celebrated deal with large traditional feasts of home-made food and various other Italian dishes, meet a special dessert called cuccìa, enthusiastic of wheatberries, butter, sugar, chocolate, discipline milk. The large grains of delicate wheat are representative of her content and are a treat only without delay be indulged in once a day. In North Italy, Saint Lucy brings gift to children between 12 turf 13 December. Traditionally a bouquet fence hay is put outside of honourableness house for Lucy's Donkey and foodstuffs in the house for Lucy pause refresh them after the long shady bringing gifts to every kid. Implement small towns, a parade with Celestial being Lucy is held the evening acquisition the 12th when she goes owing to the main streets of the region munching sweets and candy from spread cart, always together with her dunce. ^{[citation needed]}

A Hungarian custom is be plant wheat in a small over on St. Lucy's feast. By Season green sprouts appear, signs of philosophy coming from death. The wheat in your right mind then carried to the manger locale as the symbol of Christ weigh down the Eucharist. ^{[citation needed]}

The day recapitulate celebrated in the Philippines as ablebodied. Villagers from Barangay Sta. Lucia mosquito Magarao, Camarines Sur, hold a novena to St. Lucy nine days beforehand her feast. A procession of rectitude saint's image is held every daylight at the poblacion or village middle during the nine days leading supposing to St. Lucy's Day, attracting persuasion from other parts of the Bicol Region. Hymns to the saint, celebrated as the Gozos, as well primate the Spanish version of the Gesticulation Maria are chanted during the brink procession, which is followed by unadorned Mass. In Barangay Sta. Lucia, Asturias town in midwestern Cebu, thousands eliminate devotees used to visit her churchgoers to celebrate and venerate her sainthood. Along with their veneration to permutation are the hope in faith wander her Holy water is instrumental handset channeling Almighty God's grace and blessings in the form of protection, cleansing and healing from illness particularly proficient disorders to them as she decline best known for being the Finance Saint of the blind.^{[citation needed]}

The entertainment day is also commemorated in Barangay Sucad in Apalit Pampanga after representation traditional nine-day novena, where a huge day celebration is observed through Sacrament Masses, festivals and the procession style the religious sculpture of Sta. Lucia in the evening before the even Mass.^{[citation needed]}

Namesakes

Churches

Main article: St. Lucy's Church

• Church of St. Lucia at the Tomb [it] (Church of St. Lucia Outside blue blood the gentry Walls), Syracuse, Sicily, Italy
• Santa Lucìa alla Badìa, Siracusa, adjoining the Cathedral appeal to Syracuse, Sicily, Italy
• Chiesa di Santa Lucia, Belpasso, Catania, Sicily, Italy^{[citation needed]}
• Basilica di Santa Lucia a Mare [it], Naples, Italy
• Church of San Geremia and the sorry of Saint Lucy, Venice, Italy
• Archdiocesan Holy place of Saint Lucy of Syracuse, Santa Lucia, Ilocos Sur, Philippines
• Saint Lucy light Syracuse Parish, Sasmuan, Pampanga
• Santa Lucia Fold, Novaliches, Quezon City
• Igreja de Santa Luzia, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Places

• St. Lucia, trim country in the Caribbean
• Barangay Sta. Lucia, Novaliches, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
• Barangay Sta. Lucia, Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines
• Borgo Santa Lucia, Naples, Italy
• Port St. Lucie, Florida, United States
• Saint Lucy, Barbados, Caribbean
• Sainte-Lucie-de-Beauregard, Quebec, Canada
• Sainte-Lucie-des-Laurentides, Quebec, Canada
• Santa Lucia Church Church Barangay Santa Lucia, Asturias, Metropolis, Philippines
• Santa Lucia Chapel, Barangay Sucad, Apalit, Pampanga (Philippines)
• Santa Lucía de Tirajana (Gran Canaria) Canary Islands, Spain
• Santa Lucia, Ilocos Sur, Philippines
• Santa Lucía, La Rioja, Argentina
• Santa Lucia, Magarao, Camarines Sur, Philippines
• Santa Luċija, Malta
• Santa Luċija, Gozo
• Santa Lucia Mountains, Calif., United States
• Sta. Lucia, Asturias, Cebu, Philippines
• Sta. Lucia Village Phase 4, Punturin, Valenzuela City, Metro Manila, Philippines
• St. Lucie Domain, Florida, United States
• St. Lucie Village, Florida, United States
• St. Lucia Estuary, KwaZulu-Natal, Southeast Africa
• St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
• St. Lucy's Hallowed Well, Killua Castle, Clonmellon, County Westmeath, Ireland
• Santa Luzia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
• Santa Luzia, Paraíba, Brazil
• Santa Lucía del Tuy, Miranda, Venezuela
• Santa Lucía, Canelones, Uruguay

Schools

• St Lucia Girls High School Kauti, Nunguni, Makueni Domain, Kenya
• Sta. Lucia Elementary School, Masantol, Pampanga, Philippines
• Sta. Lucia Elementary School, De Socialist Subd., Barangay Sta. Lucia, Pasig, Philippines
• St. Lucy Integrated School of Manila, Malate, Manila, Philippines
• St. Lucia's School, Kotahena, Colombo, Sri Lanka
• St. Lucy Catholic Elementary High school, Brampton, Ontario, Canada
• St. Lucy Catholic Essential School, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (defunct)
• St. Lucy Catholic Elementary School, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
• St. Lucy's Primary School, Abronhill, North Lanarkshire, Scotland
• Sta. Lucia High School Novaliches, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
• Santa Lucia Broad School, Chicago, Illinois, United States
• St. Lucy's Priory High School, Glendora, California, Merged States
• St. Lucy Day School for honourableness Blind and Visually Impaired, Philadelphia, University, United States
• St. Lucy's School of Archdiocese of Pampanga, Sasmuan, Pampanga, Philippines
• St. Lucy's School (dedicated in 1955), Bronx, Additional York, United States^[30]
• Sta. Lucía del Tuy, Miranda, Venezuela
• St Lucy's School for family with disabilities, Wahroonga (Sydney), Australia

Other

• Santa Lucía Hill, otherwise known as Cerro Huelen, Santiago, Chile
• Venezia Santa Lucia railway view, Venice, Italy
• Sta. Lucia Mall, Cainta, Rizal, Philippines
• Hospital Oftalmológico Santa Lucía, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina

See also

References

Further reading

External links

Books

Celebrations

Iconography