Lucy

I’ve been enjoying exploring memories of my childhood. This meandering would not be complete without taking some time to reexamine my Roman Catholic roots.

Getting to know the saints again anew, and the stories that their legend tells makes me wonder that if I had paid more attention as a young lad I would have found myself a priest.

I always enjoyed my time in the cathedral setting amongst the people who devoted their lives to the holy mysteries.

This morning, I came across St Lucy. Fittingly known as the patron saint of writers.

It is said that she was a beautiful girl from a rich and noble family in 283. Her father was from Rome. He died when she was 5. Lucy and her mother found themselves without protection.

A life consecrated to God is what Lucy chose for herself.

Lucy’s sick mother was unaware of this choice and arranged a marriage for her daughter.

Lucy did not want this. She tended to her mother and convinced her that as a way to give thanks, they should give all of their wealth to the poor.

When Lucy’s fiancé heard this news he was not pleased.

At that time it was dangerous to be a Christian, and in his anger, the man turned Lucy over to the authorities for her faith. Guards came to get Lucy, but legend has it that they could not move her. They then proceeded to build a fire, but she would not burn.

So they put a sword through her.

Prior to her death, legend has it that she foretold bad things for the present emperor which enraged him. So the emperor had her eyes removed. Some stories say that she removed her own eyes to keep men away from her, so that Lucy could live a consecrated life to God.

It is believed that at her burial, her eyes had been miraculously restored.