St. Lucy (283-304) was born in Syracuse, Sicily, where she also died. She was of a noble Greek family, and was brought up as a Christian by her mother. Her name appears in the second list in the Canon. Today's feast can easily be harmonized with Advent themes. St. Lucy's name is a living symbol amid the season's darkness (the days are now the shortest of the year).

During the Middle Ages, people suffering from eye trouble began invoking Lucy's aid because her name is derived from lux ("light"). She is also associated with festivals of light, especially in Scandinavia.

That the famous Sicilian martyr really lived may be deduced from the great popular veneration accorded her since most ancient times. According to legend, she made a pilgrimage to Catonia with her mother, who suffered from hemorrhage, to venerate the body of St. Agatha. After praying devoutly at the tomb, Agatha appeared to her in a dream and consoled her: "O virgin Lucy, why do you ask of me what you yourself can procure for your mother? For your faith too has come to her aid and therefore she has been cured. By your virginity you have indeed prepared for God a lovely dwelling." And her mother was healed.

Immediately Lucy asked permission to remain a virgin and to distribute her future dowry among Christ's poor. Child and mother returned to their native city of Syracuse, and Lucy proceeded to distribute the full proceeds from the sale of her property among the poor. When a young man, to whom Lucy's parents had promised the virgin's hand against her will, heard of the development, he reported her to the city prefect as a Christian.

"Your words will be silenced," the prefect said to her, "when the storm of blows falls upon you!"

Lucy answered: "To God's servants the right words will not be wanting, for the Holy Spirit speaks in us."

He then said, "I shall order you put with prostitutes and the Holy Spirit will depart from you."

Lucy answered: "If I am dishonoured against my will, my chastity will secure for me a double crown of victory."

Aflame with anger, the judge imposed the threatened order. But God made the virgin solidly firm in her place and no force could move her. Thereupon they poured heated pitch and resin over her. When she had endured all this without the least injury, they pierced her throat with a sword.