What's with the candles on their heads?

Feast of Saint Lucy

I was watching EWTN the other day and this subject came up and I thought it would be a nice one to share.

December 13 is celebrated as a Feast Day for St. Lucy, or St. Lucia, or Santa Lucia.

Lucia, one of the Churches earliest Saint’s died a martyr in the second or third century following our Saviors death on earth, and under the Roman Emperor Diocletian.

Believed to be about 14 years of age, she refused to marry a pagan and after praying to an earlier Saint Agatha for her mothers healing. Now convinced, her mother and she went about at night giving away her dowry. Her rejected bridegroom ratted her out to the local governor in Sicily, and she was turned over to the Romans. When she refused to deny her Christian faith, she was condemned but the soldiers couldn’t lift her, they couldn’t burn her, and finally they gouged out her eyes and stabbed her with a sword. Brrrr, gives me a shiver!

The celebration of St. Lucy Day, however, began in Norse country, probably Sweden. The legend thought to have been brought by traveling merchants from Rome with stories of her martyrdom, Lucy, meaning “light,” was a light in the otherwise dark land during winter when they celebrated her martyrdom on the winter solstice (Julian Calendar), the longest night of the year.

In Sweden they have a St. Lucy procession through town and the selected young lady gives out gifts. 

Other traditions began with teenage daughters, when they reached a certain age, on that day would rise very early in the morning and bake saffron buns, and make hot coffee for the parents. The girl would then deliver them to their room while wearing a wreath of evergreens with candles mounted on them to provide light while she carried the trays. Younger siblings would follow holding candles.

I remember watching a movie around Christmas once, the period was in early 18^th or 17^th century England and the oldest daughter was walking up stairs with this wreath with five candles balanced on her head! I would have tripped or lost balance for sure, or at least caught my hair on fire! I’m a major klutz!

The legends of Lucy, Saint Lucia, followed merchants to other Northern European countries and later England where they are still celebrated to this day. Battery-operated candlesticks have replaced the burning candles, but the tradition of bringing light into the darkness of the early morning lives on. St Lucy is also considered the patroness of clear vision, and is often pictured with her eyes painted on a plate in the portrait. Breads and saffron buns baked for the celebration would be twisted into a figure eight or infinity symbol resembling eyes.

When the Gregorian calendar was introduced, the Feast Day moved to December 13 but the Orthodox churches still observe it on the winter solstice and it marks the beginning of the Christmas celebrations.

All that is really known for sure about Lucia is that she was a Christian and she was martyred under Diocletian. She is documented as being revered and celebrated for her great faith in early church documents of the fifth century, and included in Pope St. Gregory the Great's (he died in 604) Canon and other written documents. 

Saint Lucy and Saint Lucia Day have been celebrated by Catholic and Protestant Churches for Centuries and I think she makes a great example for all of us, and especially young people, for her faith in God and courage in a time of great oppression. Why not celebrate with a St. Lucia Crown? here is a link to a yummy looking recipe, Happy St Lucy Day!

 Blessings!

The Catholic Lady