St. Lucy of Syracuse (283-304)
(Franciscan Media) Every young girl named Lucy must bite her tongue in disappointment when she attempts to find out what there is to know about her Patron Saint.
Lucy was born in Sicily Syracuse into a wealthy devout Christian family according to SQPN at an early Lucy vowed a life for Christ. When Lucy’s father passed away when she was still quite young, her Mother Eutychia arranged a marriage for her. For three years, Lucy managed to keep the marriage on hold.
to change her mother’s mind about her being married, Lucy prayed at the tomb of St. Agatha (Feast Day: 05 February) and her mother’s long hemorrhagic illness was cured. Subsequently Lucy’s mother agreed with Lucy’s desire to live for God.
Paschasius (Lucy’s disappointed suitor) wasn’t nearly as understanding. Accusing Lucy of being a Christian to the Governor of Sicily, she was sentenced to ‘forced prostitution’ – When the guard went to get Lucy, they could not move her even when they hitched a team of oxen to her. Subsequently as a result of this, the Governor of Sicily ordered that Lucy be tortured (which included blinding her) and burned to death. — Lucy was surrounded by bundles of wood but when the fire was set a blaze it went out. Lucy was subsequently Martyred by being stabbed to death.
One can easily imagine what a young Woman had to contend with in pagan Sicily in the year 300–If one has difficulty imagining, just take a look at today’s removal of God from all places an ‘pleasure at all cost’ society and the barriers it presents at leading an honorable Christian life.
Lucy’s ‘friends’ must have wondered aloud about Lucy’s hero, an obscure itinerant preacher in a far-away captive nation that was once a carpenter, that had been crucified by Roman soldiers after His own people turned against Him. — Lucy though believed with her whole being that this man named Jesus, had risen from the dead. Heaven had put a stamp on all He said and did, to give witness to her faith she had made a vow of chastity.
What a ruckus Lucy’s desire to lead a Christian life of chastity among her pagan acquaintances, the kindlier ones may have thought this was just a little peculiar, to be pure before marriage, though an ancient Roman ideal, it was rarely found but never condemned. To exclude marriage altogether, this was just too much in that day, Lucy must have something sinister to hide.
Lucy knew of the heroism of earlier virgin martyrs for Christ and she remained faithful to their example and the Carpenter whom she knew as the Son of God.
What an inspiring ‘Saint of the Day’ for all Christians — Lucy was an authentic first class heroine, an abiding inspiration for all Christians, whose moral courage shines forth as a guiding light for future generations just as it did in Lucy’s day.
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Related: For Today’s Bible Readings for the Memorial of St. Lucy, Visit: -USCCB